Fierce leadership is needed now more than ever. A passionate, strong, clear expression of what you value along with the art of creating a space where people come together, work together to have a shared impact. How do you develop fierce leadership? That’s what this episode is all about.
Ursula Jorch is the founder of Work Alchemy, devoted to supporting purpose-driven businesses and their leaders to realize their vision for impact, driving greater profits. Ursula’s focus with her clients is on making smart and strategic decisions while tending to impactful leadership. She provides tools as well as practical, actionable guidance to achieve your business’ purpose-driven impact and financial goals while nurturing personal and team development.
Clients have described working with Ursula as, “I couldn’t have done it without your guidance and support” and “I’m constantly in awe of the knowledge and value that you offer…I feel grateful to be working with you.”
Ursula has worked in every realm, from academia to corporate to the entrepreneurial space, and has started four successful companies. She holds two graduate degrees, one a Master’s in Adult Education with a specialization in workplace learning and change, and the other a Master’s in Science.
In keeping with her professional and personal commitment to service and contribution to the community and the larger world, Ursula mentors high growth startup companies through the Chamber of Commerce’s Elevate program. She graduated from the Leadership Asheville program in 2017. Ursula also serves on the board of Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade, ethical shopping non-profit that supports artisans from developing countries.
Ursula was the co-founder of THRIVE, a group that fosters connection, collaboration, and contribution by women. In keeping with her wide-ranging interests, she co-leads a community choir that performs songs from around the world in multiple languages. Her interest in the environment led her to participate in a regional initiative to reduce energy consumption, the Blue Horizons Project. Ursula avidly hikes, photographs, and frolics with her dog companions in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Find Ursula at WorkAlchemy.com along with free resources, and on her popular podcast, Work Alchemy: The Impact Interviews with guests as diverse as Seth Godin and Marianne Williamson. You can also often find her traveling somewhere in the world on inner and outer adventures.
In This Episode:
- You have a voice and you deserve to be heard. Ensuring that you are embraced in your full expression in business and life can be difficult, especially if you are a woman or non-binary.
- Fierce is a passionate, strong, clear expression of what you value. Fierce leadership is fierce in the hands of someone creating a space where people work together to have a shared impact.
- Evolving your fierce leadership means developing 6 skills.
Women and people perceived as women are chronically mansplained, tone policed, and managed when we express ourselves with clarity and strength. It scares some people. It shakes the status quo of expected behavior and privilege for many people. As women, some of us shrink from fierce displays. Others persist, and suffer the consequences. A shift is needed. As more women and non-binary folks speak up fiercely for what we believe, and in service of impact, a shift in business and society will occur. To do that sustainably, we need support from each other and from men, and we need the skills of fierce leadership. Fierce leadership is bringing ferocity into play in service of impact. Being fierce is a sacred practice, and a form of self-expression. Fierce leadership is modeling too. Your strong and clear display of passion influences. To develop fierce and impactful leadership, 6 skills are needed: self-awareness, vision, focus, lovingkindness, resilience and perseverance, and commitment to growth. Listen to the interview for a deeper exploration of each skill. Like all skills, they develop as you focus attention on them. It’s a worthy pursuit, in service of your impact.
Resources:
Ursula on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Ursula’s article: Develop These 6 Skills for Impactful Leadership
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s fierce response to namecalling
Ursula Jorch, Host of The Impact Interviews
Ursula Jorch is a business coach, speaker, and podcaster who shows women leaders how to turn their businesses into profitable agents for lasting change, global impact, and a force for good in the world.
