Robin Williams
"Leaders should prioritise their own mindfulness, creating a culture of well-being in their organisation to ensure they can effectively lead and support their teams"
👏 Happy Friday!
On this day, August 11, 2014, the world mourned the loss of an exceptional talent and beloved entertainer, Robin Williams, who passed away in his home in Tiburon, California, USA. He left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, and we lost an incredible genius. Williams, who was known for his unparalleled comedic genius and heart-touching performances, he had the ability to transform himself into a multitude of characters, each requiring a shift in mindset, behaviour, and approach. His ability to evoke laughter and evoke tears epitomised the power of his emotional intelligence and authenticity. However, beyond the laughter and applause, Williams had many struggles with drugs, drink, and depression, which he sometimes talked about. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in May 2013, and an autopsy revealed that Williams had diffuse Lewy body dementia (LBD). LBD is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behaviour, and mood. This may have contributed to Williams’ depression and suicide.
✅ Robin Williams told us, “All it takes is a beautiful fake smile to hide an injured soul and they will never notice how broken you really are.” A man who made us forget our troubles for a short time when he was on the comedy stage, acting or being interviewed, was hiding his own demons, depressions, and internal sadness. The phrase “beautiful fake smile” encapsulates the poignant notion that appearances can be deceiving. It’s a call to action to pay attention to the people around us, to listen, and offer support without assumptions. In an era where vulnerability is championed, his story underscores the necessity of creating work environments where employees can openly discuss mental health challenges without fear of stigma. Leaders Should Prioritise Self-Care.
"Implementing organisational change is a complex journey filled with adversity and demands unwavering leadership resilience to achieve success"
👉 Organisational change leadership is about effectively and proactively articulating the vision, modelling the new way, and intervening to ensure sustainable change. However, these pivotal responsibilities can only be accomplished by leaders who place a premium on their own mindfulness and prioritise their own self-care. There is now an escalating acknowledgment of the significance of people’s health and state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. As organisational change and transformation invariably introduce heightened stress, the employee’s health has never been so important..
Have a fantastic weekend with the ones you love and care for, enjoy some fresh air, exercise, eat, drink and be happy.
Further Reading: Change Management Leadership - Leadership of Change Volume 4
Peter consults, speaks, and writes on the Leadership of Change®.
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Peter F Gallagher is a Change Management Global Thought Leader, Guru, Expert, International Speaker, Author and Leadership Alignment Coach.
Listed #1 by leadersHum Top 40 Change Management Gurus You Should Follow in 2022 (Mar 2022).
Ranked #1 Change Management Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Change Management (2023-2022-2021-2020) by Thinkers360.
Ranked #1 Business Strategy Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Business Strategy (2022) by Thinkers360.
Ranked #2 Leadership Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Leadership (Aug 2020) by Thinkers360.
Business Book Ranking
Change Management Behaviour - Leadership of Change® Volume 6, listed among the 50 Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2022.
Change Management Adoption - Leadership of Change® Volume 5, listed among year-to-date’s (Jul 2021) most popular books on business and technology from Thinkers360 member thought leaders.
Change Management Handbook - Leadership of Change® Volume 3, listed among the 50 Business and Technology Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2021.
Change Management Pocket Guide - Leadership of Change® Volume 2, ranked within the top 50 Business and Technology Books (Jan 2020) from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders.