Hi, I’m Kelly. I’m a Christian wife and mom to three amazing little boys. I have lived and worked in central Wisconsin for decades and I have had a simple goal for most of that time. I want to lead leaders.
What exactly does it mean to lead leaders. Well, that part has evolved over time. I mean, I thought it meant to manage a group of managers. Then I thought that meant to inspire people who aspired to be in leadership positions at work. Later it morphed again to showing up and leading in my home in the best way I know how for my kids. Currently, it involves aspects of all of those things but what it means is even deeper. Now, at this stage in life and after going through what I have in my career, leading leaders means setting the example and creating the standard where there isn’t one for what it means to lead a balanced life and inspire others to do the same.
wait, balance
Yes, I do say balanced life. Yes, that includes work life balance. I think of it differently than many others do. I think of balance in life as standing on a beam, arms stretched out, with all of the things I value on hanging down from them in beautifully themed bags. There is one for my kids, my husband, my faith, my family, my career, my pets, running, volunteering, and everything else. As I lean to one side putting focus on a specific bag, I need to balance the weight of the others. If you don’t balance it, you will fall, hard. I know, I’ve done it. More on that another time. Leading in life though means that I’m leaning just enough in each direction to strengthen the muscles and deeply connect with each in harmony.
why am I sharing
You see, I fell off that beam a time or two and the hardest fall was when I lost my identity. I lost who I thought I was because I was leaning so far in one direction without a counterbalance or a free hand to catch myself. As you probably guessed, when you identify as a leader that initial identity is wrapped up in work. One day as I came into the office I looked up and said out laud to myself (my boss? the company?) ‘I don’t work for you’. It took some time and reflection from that moment but I regained my strength. When I did look up again I saw something painful. There were so many other working moms feeling just like I did.
We were wrapped up in other people’s expectations. Fulfilling other people’s dreams and making sure that everyone else was comfortable in the process. We were so worried about giving the next person a leg up we forgot how to boost ourselves.
For all of those feeling stuck and alone I wanted to provide an outlet and a means of connection. I wanted there to be a voice for women who were told they “peaked too early” and should be “happy with what they have”. If there was no one developing you in your career or cheering you on from the side, I wanted to be that voice. For those who thought they couldn’t take the next step or weren’t a leader because they only parented, only volunteered, only contributed individually, I wanted to be the voice of reason. You got this. You know more than you think and you’re stronger and more valuable than you know.
what to expect
In this podcast, or at my blog on KellyHirn.com, you can expect a lot. You can expect actionable advice and lessons learned in business. Expect to hear about how getting outside and being active parallels with success in other areas of life. Please expect a few corny jokes. You’ll also hear the lessons I learn from my team, my kids, my husband, and a few from other influences (leadership from trees and snowmobiles? yes please!) I’ll have a few resources and offers along the way but mostly I want you to be inspired and equipped to take on leadership in whatever facet you apply it. Join me friends, you got this.