[Unedited] Jerry Colonna with Krista Tippett

Survival Patterns

Survival mechanisms from childhood often shape our professional behaviors and leadership styles. Jerry Colonna shares an example of a Russian immigrant in a leadership role who couldn't relax into her team's success due to epigenetic trauma from historical events like World War II and Stalin's regime 1. He also reflects on his own childhood, where he learned to avoid conflict to prevent upsetting his mentally ill mother, a behavior that later influenced his leadership style 1. Colonna emphasizes the importance of recognizing these patterns to choose the life and leadership style we desire 2.

   

Self-Inquiry

Self-reflection is crucial for personal and professional growth. Jerry Colonna advocates for radical self-inquiry, posing questions like, "What parts of me are being projected onto others?" to foster self-awareness 3. He believes that understanding our reactions and behaviors can reveal deeper truths about ourselves and improve workplace dynamics. Colonna also highlights the importance of asking, "Who is the person I've been all my life?" to uncover our true selves beyond professional facades 4.

   

Self-Worth

The interplay between self-worth and professional identity is a key theme in Jerry Colonna's work. He recounts his childhood experiences of feeling inadequate amidst his mother's mental illness and father's alcoholism, which shaped his sense of worthiness 5. Colonna discusses how money often becomes a measure of worth, yet true worthiness requires self-awareness and choice 5. He reflects on his Catholic upbringing, where he questioned his value and connected it to financial success 6.