“We talk a lot about leadership in the boardroom, but what about leadership in a relief center… with your kids packing supplies while you’re drowning in survivor’s guilt?”
In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces dives into the themes of redefining success, living authentically, and leading courageously in midlife.
Joined by her dear friend Elena, they discuss the impactful leadership during the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Elena shares her experiences, from navigating community disasters to balancing parenting and career aspirations. This episode highlights the importance of empathy, resilience, and community support, offering powerful insights for both personal growth and effective leadership. Don't miss this moving conversation filled with inspiration and practical wisdom.
🎧 In this episode:
• 01:53 Relief Efforts and Challenges in Jamaica
• 04:04 Personal Stories and Community Resilience
• 13:46 Gratitude and Hope Amidst Chaos
• 17:51 Supporting Relief Efforts and Community Involvement
• 28:03 Navigating Career and Personal Loss
• 30:13 Motherhood and Leadership
• 33:30 Cultural Values and Kindness
💡 Key Takeaways:
• Leadership in crisis is deeply human, not polished. Elena’s story of Hurricane Melissa shows that real leadership looks like answering a desperate call, organizing “chaotic” volunteer efforts, and doing what you can with imperfect information and limited resources.
• Gratitude and kindness are powerful stabilizers in disaster. From a woman who “lost everything” but still stands in gratitude, to a 13-year-old who just wants light and food, to simply seeing the security guard or busboy, the episode highlights how acknowledgment and small acts of care create emotional stability when everything else feels uncertain.
• Your life, legacy, and “second season” are a choice. Through the eulogy/rocking-chair exercise and Elena’s “kaleidoscope mind,” you’re invited to question one-dimensional living, embrace reinvention, and take messy action toward the life you actually want, knowing your choices shape not only you, but your children, community, and the next generation.
You’ve already done the quo—now it’s time to go beyond.
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✨ Connect with Stacey: staceyluces.com IG @ Stacey.Luces LinkedIn @StaceyLuces
✨ Connect with Elena: LI @elena-diedrick-lynch-ja or Www.elleja.com