The Book Club That Never Happened

Hello there! I'm thrilled to welcome you back to the Leah JM Dean Blog as we begin a new chapter this 2024.

I don't know about you, but every new year fills me with excitement, pushing me to venture beyond my comfort zone. Even when I want to play it safe, I am reminded to keep evolving. You see, growth is a fundamental value in my business, encapsulated by the belief that we either step forward into growth or leap back into safety.

This means that each new year presents fresh challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth. This year, as I look to continue to create opportunities to connect in Q1, we will begin by offering a new dynamic to our networking interactions.

Introducing 'Tribe Talk' - Our 10 Week Book Club

On the agenda for January, I'm excited to announce the launch of 'Tribe Talk,' a 10-week Book Club. This platform will allow us to dive deeper into the themes of 'Assemble the Tribe,' exploring them together in a collaborative and insightful environment. This month, I want to share a story with you, one I call 'The Book Club That Never Happened,' and reflect on the lessons it taught me.

More than two decades ago, as a new bride, I found myself navigating uncharted waters of married life. Being an avid reader, I thought of starting a Book Club that would include both seasoned and newly married women, much like myself.

The idea was simple: gather, read, and share experiences. I collaborated with a friend to decide on the invitees and the types of books we would explore. This initial step of forming the Book Club was filled with hope and excitement.

However, twenty-something years later, I realize I have never actually read a book with a group of women. The book club, as I had envisioned it, never took shape. Instead, this journey led me to several important realizations.

Invitation as the Beginning of New Opportunities

Firstly, the evolution of any initiative can be unexpected. We may start with one goal in mind but end up needing something entirely different. In this case, it wasn't about the books; it was about finding support, a space for conversation, fun, and self-care. This experience reinforced the idea that building your tribe often begins with the willingness to take a chance and put yourself out there.

Learning, Growing, and Healing Through Interactions

Secondly, whenever people come together, there’s always an opportunity to learn and grow and, often, to heal. My interactions and research have shown that reluctance to form new relationships or try new things often stems from past hurt or trauma. Finding new environments can be a powerful way to not only learn and grow but also to heal.

Using Rejection as Data for Personal Growth

The third lesson is understanding that not every opportunity or relationship is suited for everyone. I learned that the reactions we have to rejection or discomfort provide valuable data, guiding us on where we need to go next. There’s seldom a downside to taking risks in forming new connections. These experiences, whether successful or not, contribute to our growth and understanding of ourselves and others.

Join the Journey

As we embark on this new journey together in 2024, I hope you'll try something new and join me in this exciting new venture. You’ll find the link to join below, along with a link to the Tribe Health quiz. This tool can help you gauge where you are in your tribe-building journey. It's a resource I've found personally valuable, and I encourage you to explore it too.

Thank you for joining me in this month’s blog. I hope you’ve found a lesson or two that resonates with you. Feel free to reach out and share your thoughts at [email protected]m, I would love to hear from you! 

Resources Mentioned in the Blog - click on the links below to explore:

Join the Book Club
Take The Dare
Take the Tribe Health Quiz

Leah JM Dean is an advisor, best-selling author, facilitator, speaker, certified strengths coach, and founder of the women’s leadership program, the Tribe Advantage. She is on a mission to help women and organizations all across the globe unleash their potential transform their tribes in life and leadership. To learn more about Leah's work, her best-selling book Assemble the Tribe, or join The Tribe Advantage Leadership Program, visit www.leahjmdean.com. Leah lives in Bermuda with her husband and two children.