Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell is a native Hawaiian scholar, wayfinder, oral historian, and founder of Co3, Co-Creating Cohesive Communities. Grounded in ALOHA and guided by purpose, she helps leaders and communities navigate complexity while honoring people, place, culture, and relationships. But behind her accomplishments and years of leadership, Dr. Gerry has also faced isolation, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the painful realization that carrying more does not necessarily mean leading better.

This episode of Lonely at the Top is about redefining leadership, finding your way back to who you are, and learning that you don't have to carry everything alone. Dr. Gerry opens up about leaving a position of power that was taking a toll on her, the pressure to constantly prove her value, and the process of decolonizing herself and reconnecting with her Hawaiian identity. She shares how a painful moment with her grandson forced her to confront the impact of her words, leading her to develop a deeper understanding of ALOHA, self-regulation, accountability, and relationship-centered leadership.

Episode Highlights

• What it means to choose yourself when a position of power is no longer sustainable
• Moving beyond imposter syndrome and the need to constantly prove your worth
• Dr. Gerry's journey of decolonizing herself and reconnecting with her culture and identity
• How a powerful moment with her grandson changed the way she thought about her words and leadership
• The meaning of ALOHA and how asking, listening, observing, having heart, and adapting can transform relationships
• Why self-regulation and embodied leadership matter when navigating difficult conversations
• The difference between leadership that "powers over" people and leadership that empowers people
• Why taking accountability is an essential part of true leadership
• Learning that your capacity to carry something does not mean you're responsible for everything
• Why not every problem is yours to solve, not every person is yours to save, and not every room deserves your energy or your aloha

Connect with Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell

Website for Co3 Consulting
Dr. Gerry's Linkedin
Dr. Gerry's Email: gerri@co3consulting.net

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