Real TALK time, coming up with a name for this blog was EXTREMELY difficult. I drafted about a dozen different domain names. Once I made my decision, I eagerly purchased the name only to find out it was already someone else’s name. I know what you’re thinking… I should have Googled it first. I completely agree! I should have looked up every name I’d written down, but I let the excitement get the best of me. Fortunately and after much thought, I came up with THE perfect name. Well, at least I think it’s perfect!
Just in case you’re wondering what the term “glow up” actually means, here’s a basic definition I found through online research:
“Glow up” is considered slang. It indicates a significant transformation or improvement in a person’s appearance, confidence, or overall life situation over time. It’s also used to describe someone who has undergone positive changes in their physical appearance, style, self-esteem, or personal development.
This term is PERFECT because, well, effective leaders do GLOW UP! Think about it… learning and growing come with the role. Mistakes are often made and learning inevitably happens. I am by no means perfect. What I do have is the desire to continue to learn, improve my practice, and lead efficiently and effectively.
For the purpose of this leadership blog, “GLOW UP” is an acronym that encompasses effective leadership characteristics like: prioritizing Growth, Leading by example, promoting Openness, demonstrating Wisdom, fostering Unity, and instilling a sense of Purpose.
Let’s take a deeper look into the meaning of “GLOW UP” as it relates to this blog:
G – Growth: Effective leaders prioritize personal and professional growth, both for themselves and their team members.
L – Leadership: Instructional leaders lead by example, demonstrating the qualities and behaviors they expect from their team. They understand that coaching and mentoring are essential for leadership success.
O – Openness: Humble leaders foster an environment of openness and transparency, encouraging honest communication and feedback.
W – Wisdom: Wise leaders make informed decisions based on experience and knowledge, guiding their teams towards success.
U – Unity: Collaborative leaders promote unity and collaboration among team members. They recognize the strength of diversity and teamwork and promote trust, and engagement.
P – Purpose: Purposeful leaders instill a sense of collective purpose and meaning in their teams, aligning everyone’s efforts with a shared vision.
As I glow up in my leadership journey, I have come to the realization that I embrace a combination of leadership styles. That is why creating an acronym that demonstrates that leadership is multifaceted was important to me. GLOW UP is my way of sharing this notion with all of you.
I hope my words inspire you to continue to glow up as leaders even in times when you may feel your light is dim (don’t worry, that happens to me a lot. I will share with you my tips and strategies to reignite your glow).
For now, I plan on publishing new blog posts on Sundays. If, however, you feel inclined to ask me a question or would like me to elaborate or share further insight on a topic, feel free to message me. I thank those of you that bravely asked “why glow up?” Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this blog. I appreciate you!
Peace and love,
Elaine Margarita
Here are a couple of question stems to help you reflect on this post:
- What thoughts came to your mind as you read through this post?
- How do you feel after reading the meaning of glow up in relation to your leadership practice?
Leaders GLOW UP 