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Discover Not Your Average Leader, a modern, people-focused approach to leadership designed for new and experienced managers. This book highlights practical, psychology-based strategies that help you build trust, improve communication, and create healthier, more productive teams. Explore the site to learn how to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose.

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"After all, what is the purpose of a leader if not to serve as a role model"

By Brenda Bardaels

BRENDA BARDAELS

Non-Fiction Author

Home: Our Authors

POV: You’ve spent all year being the shield for your team, and now you’re finally putting the shield down for a weekend.

The “leader’s guilt” is real. You worry that if you aren’t there to troubleshoot, everything will stall.

But here’s the truth: if you’ve led them well, they’re ready. Trusting your team to handle things while you’re gone is the ultimate compliment to their growth and your mentorship. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and your team needs you at 100%, not running on fumes. 🌊

A Small Leadership Tip:
When you do take that time off, try using a “Positive Reinforcement” Out of Office message. Instead of saying “I’m sorry I’m away,” try:

“I’m currently taking some time to recharge so I can come back with full focus for the team. In the meantime, I have full confidence in [Team Name] to handle things!”

It subtly shifts the narrative from “I’m absent” to “I’m empowering my team and prioritizing my health.” How are you planning to spend your time off?

#notyouraverageleader #normalizerest #worklifebalance❤️ #sustainablelifestyle #mentalhealthmatters

Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer.

If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road.

#notyouraverageleader #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #growfrommistakes #accountability

Where’s your favorite spot to level up?

📍 Today, we were at @bodhileafcoffee Traders enjoying the vibes and some essential leadership theory.

If you haven’t picked up your copy of Not Your Average Leader yet, this is your sign!

What are you currently reading to sharpen your skills? Tag your favorite leadership book below 👇

#BodhiLeafCoffee #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementTips #CoffeeAndBooks #leadershipidentity

Irvine, you really showed out! 🏙️✨

I was so honored to attend the first annual Woman Conference. Hearing stories of resilience and leadership from women across all fields was a powerful reminder that there is a “Not Your Average Leader” in every one of us.

Huge thanks to @cityofirvine and Councilwoman @bettymartinezforirvine for fostering such an empowering space for our community! 👏

Thank you @jessicadenovatv for sharing your amazing story!

I’d love to bring more of these conversations to our local organizations and teams! What’s your biggest takeaway from the conference?👇

#IrvineWomen #NotYourAverageLeader #CityofIrvine #WomenInLeadership #CommunityImpact

Multiple data sources often cite that around 66–70 % of change efforts don’t achieve their expected goals or are classified as failures.

For those that succeed, a 2023 Gartner report found that only about 30–34 % of change initiatives fully succeed in meeting original objectives.

There is not a one size fits all or a magic way to ensure change will stick but…there are lessons learned and very effective methods in chapter 3 of this book.

Simply adjust and try again.

#changeagent #changeatwork #bethechange #positivepsych #nyal

They read the book! Did you?

This non-average leader’s favorite chapter was Chapter 3!

It talks about facilitating change! All leaders had a taste of sudden disruption during the pandemic and many did not survive the change and lost their careers. Don’t wait for another heavy event to adopt practices that support change and adaptability. Prepare now, so that you can thrive later.

#nyal #notyouraverageleader #didyoureadthebook #chapter3 #facilitatingchange

One chapter a day, keeps turnover away! 😎

Nearly 40–50% of what you do daily is habit, according to research from Duke University.

So imagine what happens when you implement one new intentional habit each day for 7 days.

That’s not pressure.
That’s momentum.
That’s leadership transformation.

Small disciplines compound. Consistent leaders win.

Ready to stop leading average?

📖 Grab your copy of Not Your Average Leader and start building habits that shape results.

#LeadershipDevelopment #HabitsOfSuccess #IntentionalLeadership #nyal #📚

I’m kind of busy! 📞✨ Between deep dives with incredible leaders, gathering data for the next book, and the final stretch of the PsyD, my schedule is a bit of a masterpiece right now. 📚🧠

Don’t worry, I’ll be back in your orbit before you know it! I can’t wait to catch up with all you non-average leaders absolutely rocking the workplace wellness space. Stay elite! 🫐💼

#ImKindOfBusy #psyd #NonAverageLeader #WorkplaceWellness #ScholarPractitioner

Here are your role models:

1. Herb Kelleher (Southwest Airlines)
Believed employees came first, customers second, shareholders third.

Fostered a fun, respectful culture; famously said happy employees create happy customers.

2. Howard Schultz (Starbucks)
Provided health insurance and stock options even to part-time workers.

Emphasized dignity, inclusion, and treating employees as “partners.”

3. Satya Nadella (Microsoft)
Shifted Microsoft’s culture toward empathy, collaboration, and growth mindset.

Invested heavily in employee well-being and psychological safety.

4. Anne Mulcahy (Xerox)
Led with transparency and compassion during a major corporate turnaround.

Personally listened to employees at all levels to rebuild trust.

5. Tony Hsieh (Zappos)
Prioritized employee happiness and strong company culture.

Encouraged autonomy, meaning, and personal growth at work.

#Leaders #employeesfirst #customercare #wellbeing #workforce

Ever feel like you were promoted… but the manual didn’t come with the promotion? 👀

POV: you’re stepping into a new leadership role and finally find a guide that actually speaks your language. It’s short and to the point.

Not your average leader. Because you’re not an average leader.

New leaders: what’s the ONE thing you’re trying to figure out right now: leading people, managing yourself, or finding your voice?

#Notyouraverageleader #leadershipbooks #newlypromoted #management #📚

Ready to stop managing and start leading?

Being a “manager” is a title, but being a leader is a mindset. Whether you’re a nurse on the front lines, a teacher in the classroom, or an officer in the field, Not Your Average Leader is your practical playbook for people-first leadership.

Grab your copy on Amazon and start moving your team closer to success today! 📚✨

#NotYourAverageLeader #PeopleFirst #LeadershipMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment #iopsychology

Did you know this? 👀

Most leaders are familiar with different leadership styles… but do you know when to use each one to get the best out of your team and organization?
Here’s a quick guide to help you match the right leadership approach to the right environment:

Trait Approach
Best for: Small teams under 10 (e.g., medical offices, bakeries, design teams)
Focuses on the leader’s inherent qualities and characteristics.

Behavioral Approach
Best for: Teams of 15+ (e.g., marketing departments, social work teams, salons)
Emphasizes what leaders do—their actions, habits, and communication.

Situational Leadership
Best for: Any size team in fast-changing environments (e.g., customer service, sports teams, security)
Leaders adapt their style based on the team’s needs and the situation.

Transactional Leadership
Best for: Sales, retail, manufacturing, and task-focused industries
Works well when expectations are clear, tasks are structured, and consistency matters.

Transformational Leadership
Best for: Sports teams, performance-driven teams, human services, or any organization that values innovation and diversity
Boosts morale, fosters creativity, and inspires people to reach beyond expectations.

Servant Leadership
Best for: Small to medium teams (e.g., police, first responders, nurses, teams of subject matter experts)
Leaders support and empower their teams so they can deliver high-quality work.

Strengths-Based Leadership
Best for: High-performing teams
Allows leaders to maximize each member’s natural talents and deepen team excellence.

Before choosing your approach, ask yourself:
“What does my team need from me right now, and what leadership style will help them thrive at their highest level?”

#Goodreads #bookagram #leadership #womenauthors #books #notyouraverageleader

Still pinching myself!

Thank you @sherisesstudios_llc for spotlighting my story and my book Not Your Average Leader on the December 2025 issue of Becoming An Unstoppable Woman magazine.

If you’re ready to step beyond comfort and into reinvention, this issue is for you. 💫

Get your copy now @barnesandnoble ! Link in bio.

The beautiful necklace is by @coastaldesires

#womeninspiringwomen #becominganunstoppablewoman #magazinefeature #goodreads #nativepsychologist

Let’s wrap up the month of November with intention, leading by example, one page at a time.

#notyouraverageleader #books #novemberreads #leadership #irvine #orangecounty #amazonreads #library #musthave

As a service member author, unfortunately I do love…

A 6 a.m. workout like it’s a personality trait.
Outworking my own potential.
Turning pressure into performance.
Rewriting the rules I wasn’t supposed to break.
Pushing limits that were never mine to begin with.
Doing the work when no one’s watching.
Being underestimated.
Proving strong women can be soft, strategic, and unstoppable.
Turning hard lessons into pages that lead others forward.
A bookshelf that looks like a battleground.
Showing up when it would be easier to sit down.
Evidence-based confidence, not burnout.
Turning hard lessons into clear insights.
Making every voice a catalyst.

Thank you to @wearoya for the Science-Backed Gear to Keep Heroes Cool and Healthy (and fun photoshoot!)

Coffee chats are our favorite 🍂

#coffeetime #vietnamesecoffee #coffeeandbook #irvine #fallseason #blkdotcoffee

Did you know you can order me on womenveteransalliance.com for just $5.55? (Link in bio)

As a service member, Bre the author is passionate about specifically helping other service members and veterans find meaningful work through leadership after service.

Thank you @ladyveterans for your support and continued mission to empower Women Veterans. Happy early Veteran’s Day!

#nationalbookmonth #veteransday #authorstories

Are you a manager or a leader? Are you a visionary, a coach, a strategist? There are so many paths you can take in developing your identity as a leader.

Which one do you identify with the most? Let’s start the conversation today and drop it in the comments!

Nobody puts Not Your Average Leader in the corner! Have you picked up a copy yet? Let’s have a discussion, would love to hear your perspective and experiences navigating leadership in the workplace.

#notyouraverageleader #leadwithbrenda #leadershipmatters #leadershipinaction #leadershipdevrlopment #amazonbooks #booksthatinspire

Welcome to the traveling book series where we’ll be sharing our book’s adventures! This week, we got cozy at @kona_coffee_district, catching up with a friend. And fall was in the air! What’s your favorite fall drink to pair up with a good read?

Just because you got the promotion, doesn’t always mean you’re ready to be a leader. AND THAT’S OK! Learn what it takes to be a good leader and get the right tools to help you successfully transition.

This book will get you off to the right start. Need a consult, let us know! Bre’s here to support your journey.

October is National Book Month, and this book is the perfect read to add to your list 📚. Dive into powerful leadership lessons, advocate for diverse voices, and explore a journey that redefines workplace wellness.

✨ Now Available on Amazon ✨ give me a follow and learn more!

Why Not Your Average Leader Stands Out:

✨ Written by Brenda, a career coach with years of experience helping veterans transition to civilian careers.
✨ Tackles real, practical questions she’s been asked on the job.
✨ Breaks down leadership theories + styles into actionable insights.
✨ Expands your perspective on what it means to lead effectively.

This isn’t just another leadership book, it’s your guide to leading differently. 💡

Available on Amazon, link in bio

Meet Bre, the powerhouse behind Not Your Average Leader!

With expertise in workforce development, career coaching, supporting people in military transitions, and a deep background in clinical and occupational health psychology, she’s redefining what leadership looks like.

Her mission? To make leadership diverse, practical, and positive.

Follow for actionable leadership tips, exclusive behind-the-scenes moments, and everything you need to know about Not Your Average Leader.

📚 Ready to bring this game-changing book to your shelves? Let’s talk book deals!

✨ Delegating isn’t a weakness, it’s a leadership superpower. 💼💪

When you let go of control, you create space for growth, for you and your team.
Trust your people. Share the load. Focus on what only you can do.

#Leadership #Delegation #WorkSmart #Teamwork #ProductivityTips #notyouraverageleader

Any job can become overwhelming, regardless of your level of skill. It’s okay to make yourself a priority when you are feeling overworked or at the edge. How does this look like?

-Take a break when you need to.
-Schedule preventative checkups with your health care provider.
-Take a longer and healthier lunch.
-Exercise often.
-Delegate work.
-Listen to your body. When you need a break, food, movement or sleep, you will feel it.

#leadership #leaderdevelopment #newbreedofleaders #selfcare #rolemodel #atwork #working #Thursdays #2022 #March

This being:

your #newposition
That job that #you want
That #speech you will deliver
A #leap of #faith

You got this. You’ve been preparing yourself for a long time. All those experiences you previously had, will pay off now. #itstime

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

#justgo

Repeat this words to yourself whenever you face a fear to action at work.

“Oh yes you can”

#leadtheway #leading #leaders #bebrave #yougotthis #ohyesyoucan

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Welcome Leaders!

"After all, what is the purpose of a leader if not to serve as a role model"

BRENDA BARDAELS

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