Self Fidelity pioneer, leadership coach and award winning author, Cassandra Goodman, shares some exciting insights and ideas behind her upcoming book and shares some valuable writing tips for aspiring authors.
Questions:
1. What do people know you best for?
People know me best as someone who is really passionate with the idea of being true to ourselves.
So often, the world sends us the message that who we really are is sometimes inadequate or inconvenient, or both! There’s been so many times where I’ve felt that the world of work was trying to convince me to be someone I wasn’t. So,I have dedicated the last three decades to understanding what it means to be true to yourself (at work and in life) and how to practice.
So that’s what I think I’d like to be known for – as the pioneer of the practice of Self – Fidelity.
2. How long have you been working as a leadership coach?
I have over 20 years of experience leading and coaching people as a leader in business. Over the last 5 years I’ve completed formal coaching training and accreditation. Today, I focus on coaching leaders who are ready to do the inner work required to level-up their leadership. I love to guide and support leaders who are on the path from self-betrayal to self-awareness – and ultimately to self-fidelity.
3. Are you excited for your new book!
I am!
I wrote my first book (Self Fidelity and How Being True To Yourself Uplifts Your Working Life) during the big lockdown.
Writing that book, not only helped crystallize my thinking of what it means to be true to ourselves, but has helped me codify and commit to that practice. It also made it possible for me to share the practice of self-fidelity with the world.
Late last year, I realized that I wanted to write a second book. This next book is focussing on why self-awareness is key to leadership – and the foundation of self-fidelity.
4. Tell us more about your new book, who is your book for, and what are you hoping to find out?
My new book very specifically targets mid – late career leaders, who have probably come to the realization that it’s not enough to love what they do – that they also need to love who they’re being while they do it.
As we grow older, I think we have more experience, more agency and therefore more choice. We have the opportunity to be more intentional and mindful about who we work with, how we work, what organizations we are part of.
At our core, we are all courageous, caring, connected, playful, creative beings. But often at work we show up in ways that are quite different to that, So, really what I’m doing with this second book is offering a playbook to leaders who feel ready to look within and so the inner discovery required to really master the inner game of leadership.
With this new book, I really want to unpack what’s going on in our thinking, or our past that might cause us to show up in ways that don’t reflect our essential nature.
At the end of the day, to thrive, you need to experience congruence between who you really are on the inside and how you’re showing up at work everyday.
5. What’s the key takeaways from your current book?
The main theme I wish to explore is – “What gets in the way of us showing up in ways that reflect our essential nature – what’s truly going on inside of us?” – How do we really start to master that inner game so that we can understand the parts of us that can sabotage the really positive and powerful qualities that are within us?
The big myth that the book busts is the myth that we’re actually singular in our psychology. Because actually, we’re all multiples and many ‘parts’ is natural, it’s universal and it’s beneficial. By getting to know our parts, and the essence that unites it, we can build a harmonious inner team.
So mastering the inner game of leadership is really about converting what might be quite critical in a part (an inner critic for example) converting that part of us into something that’s actually going to empower us rather than disempower us.
6. Is there a disruptive pattern that’s quite common with leaders?
Yes, there are common patterns. So we have these parts of us called protective parts
So, our protective parts have got strategies that are quite common – strategies to want to control, to always want to be prepared. These are common strategies that parts of us want to explore to try to keep us safe, connected and ultimately loved. These strategies do not reflect our essential nature.
But these strategies can often work against us if we want to be inspiring leaders.
Our inner protectors can drive us to overworking or perfectionism, people pleasing – these common behaviors can come from parts of ourselves that are often stuck in the past. So, when these parts come out to play at work, we’re not showing up as the sort of leaders we have the potential to be.
And I believe we all have the potential to be inspiring leaders.
7. What are some of your key tips for budding authors?
If you feel like you have a book in you, then just start to write. As soon as your book evolves from a bunch of ideas in your head to a rough draft, then you have something to work with. There are so many good reasons to write a (good) book.
8. What is the last book you read? What are you reading next?
I am an insatiable reader and learner. I re-read Radical Awakening by Dr Shefali over Christmas, one of my all-time favorite books. There are currently two books on my bedside table that I am reading – Atlas of the Heart, by Brene Brown and Trusting the Gold, by Tara Brach. Once I am finished these I will be savoring Trend Dalton’s latest book Love Stories.
9. How do you decide the best way to bring your book into the world?
I don’t think that there is one-size-fits all. There are so many options these days.
For me self-publishing has been the best way for me to bring my first two books into the world on my terms and on my timelines. I also know that I can’t go it alone. I have a fabulous book coach, Kelly Irving. I am part of Kelly’s vibrant community of authors and authors-to-be (the Expert Author Academy). I am working with the Grammar Factory on my next book and Scott MacMillan is brilliant at helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses through books.
What is your life motto?
Oh gosh, I have quite a few! My top 5 are probably:
- Be a voice, not an echo (some advice from a wise mentor).
- Don’t believe everything you think.
- Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.
- Die empty! (basically don’t take your best work to the grave with you).
- This too shall pass (my parenting motto).
10. What’s next in the cards for you professionally?
In addition to working on my next book, I am working with some great clients this year, including the ATO, the NSW Department of Transport, CBA, and The Smith Family. This year I am also launching my first online learning program, which will help take the practice of self-fidelity to a much broader audience – which I am very excited about! This will also tie into a new group coaching program.
11. What’s your favorite part about coming into work / working at Cowork Me 🙂 ?
I just love working here at CoWork Me – the community is such a special one. I feel like everything I need to grow my business and to thrive is here in this building! I worked with Jason to create my websites, David takes care of my accounting and taxes, I am working with Dan to produce amazing videos, Rhea is helping me figure out Instagram, Frank and Emily are always generous in their tips on sales and business development, I am part of the B.A.S Club (Belonging, Accountability, Support) to help me get clear on my goals and have a sense of accountability – and there is great coffee!
