You Only Die Once: How to Live a Squander-Free Life with Jodi Wellman
There’s no escaping it: we will all die someday. And yet, many of us are already living like the un-dead. Each day passes by with a distinct lack of meaning and vitality.
So how can Memento Mori – remembering we must die – actually make our lives better?
In the latest episode of the We are Human Leaders podcast, we explore the very real notion that we'll all die someday in the future with speaker and Author Jodi Wellman.
Jodi, a renowned executive coach and speaker, brings profound insights into living a fulfilled and meaningful life. Jodi's expertise in the realm of personal development and leadership makes for a lively and engaging on this anything-but-morbid topic, emphasizing the importance of living a purpose-driven life.
Intentionality over routine
One of the central themes we explore is the need to “live with intention, not just out of routine.” Jodi stresses that many people fall into autopilot, going through the motions without actively engaging with their lives. She highlights the value of intentionality in everyday actions, advocating for a more mindful approach to life and work.
Jodi reminds us how limited our time is, sharing this powerful insight:
“Our time is finite, but our potential for impact is immense.”
This concept of mortality motivation highlights how understanding our limited time on Earth can propel us to make the most of every moment and create a significant impact on those around us – or as we say at Human Leaders, bridging the intention / impact gap.
Self Leadership as the starting point
We explore the importance of personal growth and self leadership in developing effective leaders. As Jodi outlines, through self-reflection and learning from experiences, we can transform into inspiring leaders who drive change and innovation. A critical point Jodi underscores is the connection between purpose and performance. She shares how having a clear sense of purpose can ignite passion and elevate performance, both personally and professionally. This notion is central to creating a fulfilling career and life.
And, we explore the key leadership capabilities that an awareness of the fleeting nature of time can support – and how this translates into organizational outcomes. Jodi notes how understanding and connecting with others on an emotional level fosters trust, collaboration, and higher morale within teams.
This interpersonal connection enhances leadership effectiveness and builds stronger, more cohesive teams. We also discuss authenticity in leadership, with Jodi noting, “Authenticity isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being real.”
A lifelong learning journey
Encouraging a growth mindset, Jodi advises listeners to “fail forward,” explaining that “each mistake is a step towards mastery.” By learning from mistakes, leaders can continuously improve and innovate, turning failures into opportunities for growth. This certainly resonates with our perspective at Human Leaders, as well as our personal experience.
We also dig deep into the subtle yet pervasive power of self-narratives, and how the narratives we construct about ourselves influence our mindset and actions. By creating empowering stories, Jodi, shares we can reshape our outlook and potential, enabling personal and professional growth.
We experienced true synergy with Jodi during this freeflowing and vibrant – not to mention insight-packed – conversation. Her work truly resonates with the core values of the Human Leaders community – including empowered agency, continuous evolution, and a growth mindset.
Jodi’s wisdom and engaging approach make this episode not just a listening experience but a call to action for all leaders to live with awareness, intention and purpose.
