The Making of a Leader: Formative Experiences That Shape Your Leadership

In this episode of The People Performance Podcast, Tracy Roberts and Bernice Casserly dive deep into the formative experiences that shaped their values, worldview, and leadership styles. They reflect on how early influences—both conscious and unconscious—continue to shape their interactions with the world.Bernice shares the transformative influence of her mother, who inspired her to embrace joy and independence, even through challenges like pursuing a dance degree later in life. Tracy reflects on how her time in the Navy acted as a second parent, instilling discipline and a strong sense of self-reliance. Together, they explore the mentors who empowered them, the obstacles that tested them, and the support systems that helped them grow.Through thought-provoking questions like, “What if things had been different?” they challenge you to examine how their own formative experiences have influenced their paths.Chapters00:00:00 - 00:01:30: IntroIntroduction to the episode's theme00:01:31 - 00:06:45: Influences from Early LifeBernice and Tracy recount how their upbringing and early experiences shaped their perspectives and values.00:06:46 - 00:12:15: Navigating Unconscious MotivatorsExploring the drivers behind behaviours and decisions, with examples of how personal values manifest in professional settings.00:12:16 - 00:20:45: Lessons from LeadershipStories of impactful mentors and managers, both positive and negative, and their lasting impressions.00:20:46 - 00:30:10: Overcoming Challenges in LeadershipHow early career experiences and hardships contribute to growth, resilience, and self-awareness.00:30:11 - 00:37:30: Aligning Leadership with ValuesPractical advice on using values to guide leadership, foster trust, and influence others positively.00:37:31 - 00:47:00: Building a LegacyThe importance of conscious influence and how to be remembered for positive contributions in others’ lives.00:47:01 - 00:50:00: EndingExercises to identify values, reflect on pivotal moments, and apply these lessons to create meaningful change.Call to ActionInterested in what we have to offer? Email: [email protected] to the People Performance PodcastShare this episode with colleagues who could benefit from fresh ideas for impactful off-sites.Visit our website and social media channels: ⁠linktr.ee/peopleperformancepodcast⁠Subscribe now to learn more about people performance