At age 20, Michelle Williams was approached by Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland to become the next member of Destiny’s Child, a moment that changed her life.
Michelle talks about the pressure of fame, public life, her battles with depression, why she’s still great friends with Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé long after Destiny’s Child disbanded, and why success can’t fulfill unmet needs.
Welcome to Episode 459 of the podcast. Listen and access the show notes below or search for the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and listen for free.
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Red Letter Challenge
If you’re a pastor, I want to take a minute and paint a picture that you may be feeling right now.
It’s nearing the end of November, and let’s be honest, this has been another long year. A year in which your staff is still working hard to pull off an epic Christmas Eve celebration to honor the birth of Jesus, but after Christmas Eve is over, you know what’s next? Sunday after Sunday after Sunday after Sunday.
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Conversation Links
Checking In by Michelle Williams
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazerro
Didn’t See It Coming by Carey Nieuwhof
Safe People by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
At Your Best by Carey Nieuwhof
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Insights From Michelle
1. Nothing matters more than how you treat people
Even more than raw talent, our attitudes, work ethic and respect for people are what make us memorable. Michelle elaborates, “Even if you aren’t the best, people will remember how you treat them. Do you come to work knowing your melodies? Do you come to work knowing your part? Are you on time[?]” If we think we’re above small things like punctuality, kindness, and respect for others, we’re not making ourselves famous, we’re making ourselves infamous.
Michelle continues, “I’d pick somebody less talented. . . over somebody that’s so gifted but arrogant and thinks they know everything.”
2. Your influence goes far beyond the people you’re immediately leading
You may not have 40,000 people in a stadium listening to you or a team of dozens that directly report to you, but as Michelle points out, “[Y]ou might have 40,000 people under your leadership in your church fellowship or in your financial institution worldwide” that your words affect. We all have people we are influencing and who we touch directly or indirectly with what we do and say. As Carey said in the interview, we all have a public profile to some degree.
3. To stay mentally healthy, check in with your 3 pillars
During seasons of busyness and stress, it’s so important for us to take time to ground ourselves in truth. As easy as it is to be caught up in what’s next or what’s coming up, we often perform better when we remind ourselves what’s important.
Michelle states that in order to stay mentally healthy, she takes time every day to check in with three pillars: herself, others and God. Having a routine helps make this a habit. In the morning, Michelle makes her bed, has her coffee and devotion, checks in with her 3 pillars and plays gospel music to set the tone for her day.
Quotes from Episode 459
People think when you're successful you don't need the affirmation. No, I need the affirmation to keep going. @RealMichelleW Click To Tweet That's what made me even so comfortable with thoughts of suicide because I'm thinking, ‘I've lived a great life, what more am I going to do?’ @RealMichelleW Click To Tweet When you just keep your head down and you do your job, someone will call your name. @RealMichelleW Click To Tweet I still sometimes am in awe of what has taken place in my life. @RealMichelleW Click To Tweet There is a disconnect often between our public life and how we feel privately. Click To Tweet I'd pick somebody less talented, but somebody that's pliable, over somebody that's so gifted but arrogant and thinks they know everything. @RealMichelleW Click To Tweet Respect is an emotional need. @RealMichelleW Click To TweetRead or Download the Transcript for Episode 459
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Read or download a free PDF transcript of this episode here.
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Next Episode: Ken Coleman
Things have changed dramatically in the world of work, and Ken Coleman talks about why The Great Resignation is happening, how the balance of power has shifted from employer to employee, and how to build a dream career.
Subscribe for free now so you won’t miss Episode 460.
