[10:04] “Authenticity is the force without direction, because it’s your relationship with yourself. The moment you use authenticity in your relationship with the outside world, you give this force a direction.” Authenticity is being true to yourself. Does this mean speaking the truth? Being blunt? Being rude? No. Kristina explains the difference between behaviors and authenticity, there is no particular behavior that is authentic because it will depend on the true value and self of an individual.

[21:09] “There are so many facets and layers to living with perfectionism; it’s not just recognizing that you have it but actually being functional with it.” As Kristina explains the barriers of perfectionism, she shares how to move past them. If you have lived all of your life as a perfectionist, this will not simply change overnight. She challenges you to consider your idea of failure. What is failure to you? Try to reconceptualize it.

[26:32] “Honesty starts with the very simple realization... I may be wrong.” Imposter syndrome is easily combated with the idea that you don’t know everything. Kristina says, when you realize that at any point in the day, about anything you can be wrong, a strong weight is lifted.

[39:15] “For our society, vulnerability is the dose of medicine that we have to take because we have forgotten the true face behind our polished facade.” Kristina speaks on the buzzword and quality everyone talks about, vulnerability. What is vulnerability, and why is it important? She explains the place and purpose of vulnerability. It’s more than sharing an inspiring story. It is being brave without certainty of the outcome.

[55:25] “We don’t know how self love looks; we’re afraid of it; we don’t understand it. We confuse self love with self care, with selfishness, and with being self obsessed. We confuse self love with indulgence with complacency. We’re afraid of it; we don’t know how it looks. That’s why we do the rituals; it makes us feel a bit better." What is the difference between self-love and self-care? Kristina explains it as the complex relationship in which we care for ourselves. And in one of Marcel’s final questions about leading with practical love, she says that in order to bring more love and kindness into your organization or any other facet of your life, you must bring more love and kindness into your relationship with yourself.

Links to the episode:

—Marcel's website: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/krist...
—Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
—Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
—Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Wep...

About the Show

The Love in Action Podcast is part of a global movement that inspires leaders to reimagine the conditions necessary for creating human-centered and humane workplaces where people and businesses flourish. The show is now heard in 160 countries and is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts. Episodes are published every Thursday and can be heard on your favorite podcast platform. If you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a review on iTunes!

Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors
As we challenge current management thinking and practices and build skills around human leadership and human-centered work cultures, we would be delighted to accept your sponsorship for future episodes. If interested, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/