Now is the time for counter-intuitive thinking
“I just don’t get it”, a client said recently. “I’m used to knowing what to do, and what, how and when to communicate with my people, and I’m lost right now. I’m second-guessing myself right and left. What happened?”
What’s happening is that our world is in constant flux. Our minds and our hearts are pulled in so many directions, it’s hard to navigate. To find that north star. To know what to do, or where to focus.
Is this executive less smart than he used to be? No. Less of a leader? No. Less capable? Not at all. He’s dealing with complex challenges and looking to do the right thing for his team and for the company. Like so many of us, this guy wants to show up and be all-in and, let’s face it, in July of 2020 - that’s a challenge.
We ask leaders to look inside to address what’s happening on the outside. Adjusting your thinking is the first step to adjusting behavior. Sometimes that means a complete change in your thinking. An example: now more than ever, we’re asking clients to slow down. To step away. The idea of stepping back to move forward seems counter intuitive. We’re used to driving! Delivering results! Getting things done! But maybe, just maybe, that’s not the answer right now. Taking even a few minutes at the beginning of the day to get clarity is important. Reflecting on what worked or could be improved at the end of each day increases your productivity.
So - slow down.
A mentor once told me “never sit down at your desk without being clear what you’re going to do”. I’ve taken this a step further: each morning, when I arrive at my desk, I take the first 10-15 minutes to prep before jumping in to design work or email. I write down the most important task on a sticky note and put on my computer – right in my line of sight. I’m a visual person, and this front-and-center reminder of the one thing that MUST happen that day helps me. I’m also a box-checker, and I love the small sense of accomplishment I get when I can pull that sticky note down because I did what I set out to do that day.
Think small.
Small tasks and small accomplishments matter. Taking one small step each day WILL get you closer to your goals and your dreams. Creating a vision for the future builds optimism, and cultivating optimism is proven to reduce stress.
In a US study of more than 2500 men and women, those with a positive outlook had significantly lower blood pressure than their more pessimistic counterparts. In a 40-year study (!!) of almost 7000 students who entered the University of North Carolina in the mid 1960’s, the most pessimistic individuals had a 42% higher death rate than the most optimistic. The best news: optimism brings about optimism. In a recent study of more than 150,000 people from 140+ countries, those who believe that the world is inherently good, and that life will work out in their favor are more likely to rate their own health and overall sense of well-being as better.
Seek optimism.
Struggling to find something to be optimistic about right now? Lots of us are. Optimism in the midst of what’s happening all around us can feel counter-intuitive. The easiest way to get there: cultivate gratitude. Think of even one thing in your life that you can be grateful for right now. Maybe it’s your work, or your colleagues, maybe it’s the trees you see blowing in the breeze - maybe it’s the simple fact that you’ve taken a pause in your day to read this article.
One of the things we’re grateful for is our learning community. In a recent session, author Otto Scharmer presented a concept for leaders that seems to go against traditional thinking. He suggests that now is the time for leaders to access their ignorance. Ignorance? That’s not a very leader-ly trait! Leaders are supposed to have all the answers, right? Leaders should be driving results, achieving objectives, and making money. And all that is possible, Scharmer claims, if leaders are more willing to be vulnerable: to admit that they don’t have all the answers, and to ask for help.
Ask for help.
Some of us aren’t very good at asking for help. The two of us certainly aren’t! Asking for help can be viewed as a sign of weakness, when, in fact, it builds strength. It can be viewed as a sign of ignorance, when it’s the very essence of wisdom. Asking for help can feel lonely, when it actually builds connection and community. Not only will you get the help you need, but you give someone else the opportunity to BE helpful, which may be rewarding for them.
So if you want to be the best version of you right now, try these things:
Slow down
Clarify priorities
Take small steps
Cultivate optimism
Practice gratitude
Ask for help
Know that there are people in your corner. Know that the work you do each day matters. Martin Luther King tells us that “all labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” Be your excellent self today.