Shanna A Hocking

What Bold Moves are you proudest of this year?

At the end of the year, I like to spend time reflecting on everything I’ve learned and made progress on, and the challenges that allowed me to grow to be where I am today.

This year, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to:

▪️Coach advancement VPs on leadership and fundraising strategies

▪️Speak on keynote stages around the country in person and virtually

▪️Teach the Bold Move framework in a university course

▪️Lead manager cohort training for an organization

▪️Give book talks for company ERGs, women’s professional networks, libraries, and bookstores

▪️Appear on NBC, ABC, CBS, and Nexstar affiliate TV stations across US and Canada

▪️Write for Harvard Business Review and Fast Company

▪️Build an alumni relations program from the ground up for an organization with 500,000 alumni

▪️Coach campaign volunteers, board members, and professional staff to ask for 6- and 7-figure gifts

▪️Advise multi-generational families on their philanthropic journeys

▪️Cheer on Bold Move Accelerator clients taking on their dream jobs

▪️Exhibit at the CASE Summit to share how Hocking Leadership helps university advancement teams strengthen workplace culture and accelerate fundraising

▪️Relaunch One Bold Move a Day podcast

On a personal note (because we’re so much more than our work!):

▪️Celebrate our 20-year wedding anniversary

▪️Spend two weeks in my happiest place of Kiawah Island

▪️See Dave Matthews Band live in concert five times

As I reflect on this past year, YOU are one of the highlights. Thank you for being part of the Bold Move community, for inviting me to be on this journey with you, and for showing up for yourself and others each day. You inspire me and my Bold Moves!

Cheering you on, always.

❤️, Shanna

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Are you unintentionally giving away your power at work?

Even as you grow your career and build your power at work, you may unconsciously do things that diminish your influence and authority.

I learned the hard way in my career what it means to unintentionally give away your power. Now, I coach clients how to navigate these situations with strength and grace.

The good news is that you can regain your power—and the first step is understanding how you may be negatively affecting your own success.

In my newest article for Fast Company, I share 5 unintentional mistakes you may be making at work:

1. Holding back on sharing your ideas
2. People pleasing
3. Allowing others to influence your emotions
4. Not letting things go
5. Believing your work speaks for itself

Which one of these resonates most with you?

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Being a leader can be lonely.

As you grow your career, you have fewer peers to turn to. Your work friendships change, particularly if you go from peer to supervisor. You may feel the pressure of higher expectations, which can turn your attention inward.

I’ve been there, too.

Here are 3 things you can do as a leader to feel more connected and supported:

1. Develop new workplace relationships

Invite a peer from a different part of your org to coffee or a virtual chat. Ask about what they’re working on, their challenges, and what they do to build resilience.

2. Celebrate progress

Recognize your new leadership role means your workplace identity has shifted. Celebrate that you’ve gotten to where you are and give yourself grace for the transition you’re experiencing.

3. Build your support system

Call a mentor or sponsor, which can affirm your strengths and expertise. Remember to support them in what they’re working on. After all, they may feel lonely, too!

Even with a strong network, there were times I wished I could have had a trusted sounding board in navigating my way and making the best decisions for my team and org.

If you’re ready to grow as a leader, you don’t have to do this alone. Research shows leadership coaching can increase employee confidence, work outcomes, and retention, as well as provide stability during org changes.

Coaching clients frequently say they choose me because of my experience in leadership, fundraising, and personal development. Because I understand what it’s like to solicit a $10m gift, lead an all-staff, and plan for a board meeting—often all on the same day. And most importantly, because I help advancement leaders communicate and lead confidently and compassionately in a way that aligns with their values and vision.

Being a leader can be lonely—but it doesn’t have to be. DM me to learn more about my leadership advisory services for senior advancement leaders.

When you’re the first, help ensure you’re not the last.

Forbes invited me to share my reflections on leadership lessons from Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s career and life—and this is what came to mind.

Being the “first” is an important, and often difficult, role.

Justice O’Connor led the way simply by being herself, but she was not only for herself.

She inspired many future women leaders and created pathways for them.

As you grow in your career, if you find yourself being the “first” at the leadership table, make sure you're not the last or only.

How will you open doors for others in your profession?

For more of my thoughts on Justice O’Connor’s legacy and the full article, I’ll link in my stories.

Our son’s Jewish day school was on lockdown yesterday due to a threat.

Thankfully he is okay.

But Jewish parents are not okay.

These are the conversations that many of your Jewish colleagues and team members are having right now with loved ones:

Is it safe to send my child to school?
Is it safe to wear my Jewish star?
Is it safe to go to synagogue?
Is it safe to be me?

And then they’re walking into your workplaces.

Your team members likely face some kind of challenge outside of the workplace that they’re bringing to work with them every day.

In many cases, we may not even know what those challenges are.

This is why our work as leaders is so important.

Here are three things you can do today to create an inclusive, supportive work environment for all your team members:

Lead and listen with compassion.

Help people feel valued for who they are and how they contribute to your organization.

Care about team members as people.

To creating workplaces where all team members can thrive and fulfill their potential.

And a world where we can be safe to be our truest selves.

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