Leo: Hear Me Roar

 So, I’m having coffee with a Scorpio friend.

He’s been on a bit of a recruitment drive lately and is determined to build the perfect team. He wants the right people on the front counter, the right people behind the counter and the right people leading the team. But he’s a Scorpio Boss so he also wants some control over the situation as well. Well durrrrrr.

‘So,’ he says, ‘I’ve just employed a Leo for the front counter…what should I know about her?’

Despite Leo’s warm and confident exterior, deep inside she struggles with the journey. Yet, she is usually able to mask the fear- the concept of faking it until she becomes it.

Her pride is such that she doesn’t want to do something unless she can do it well enough to be proud of it. Sure she wants the accolades- why shouldn’t she?

She also wants to know that you believe in her- it is at this point that she is at her most energetic, inspirational and aspirational. It is also at this point that you will see the welcoming warmth and loyalty of the Leo Sun.

If not managed well, the Lion can, without a doubt, tend to laziness. Whilst she can be reluctant to take on menial tasks, like all fire signs she needs something creative to get stuck into and hates routine.  Really clever managers may be able to talk it up, but when Leo finds herself in a cubicle poring over rows and rows of figures or lines of code, well, surely there is someone else to do jobs like that?

As a fixed sign, Leo can hold onto out dated processes and also be reluctant to take on new responsibilities- not because she is change resistant, but because of the confidence issue we spoke about before. Leo is not really that complicated- she simply doesn’t want to look bad or be seen not to be able to do her job as well as she thinks you need. When asked about her options, proud Leo will always talk up the number of irons she has in the fire.

How to deal with this? Simple- believe in her. Even if you know she doesn’t believe in herself. More importantly, let her know you believe in her. Your confidence gives her confidence. Play it like she does- even if you have doubts about her ability to master something new, give her the benefit of the doubt and make like you do believe in her. Likewise, that confidence will be bolstered by recognition. If he has done a good job, tell her. A mention in despatches does amazing things for Leo self confidence. And Leo self confidence will be rewarded with a vibrant, inspired and engaged workplace.

The Leo journey is not a comfortable one. It does involve the real life equivalent of stalking a cat walk in heels which not only defy gravity, but also pinch and hurt. But life was not meant to be easy, and self expression can cause a little pain- as can really high heels.

Leo will challenge her Scorpio Boss- but only through a little friction are we tempted out of the comfort zone and into the growth zone. I told him all of this- I told him to expect a little roaring now and then…I also told him to make sure the lighting is adjusted.