I’m prompted to share this with you today because it’s the beginning of the year and I want to encourage you to reflect on who you are and how you’re going to lead this year. Take a minute to stop and ask yourself these three questions about your leadership;

1. What are you going to continue doing?
2. What are you going to stop doing? and most importantly
3. What are you going to start doing?

Go on, stop reading and answer these questions, just one thing for each is enough for now! This will help you sit with your leadership more comfortably for yourself and those you lead. You know when you’re in the presence of a leader – you feel comfortable, at ease, respected, connected and valued. This is what I want for you. Leadership is an everyday thing for all of us, so it makes sense to become as consciously aware of yourself as you can. And everyone benefits.

More to come in a future blog post, but here’s a heads up for you. Two books have got my hear t racing in recent times. The first is Ben Crowe’s new release, Where the light gets in and the other is Neale Daniher’s The power of choice. I hear from others they are both life changers so check them out if this resonates.

Here are 5 ways we know work for those of you wanting to lead yourself better.

1. Become more self aware. Identify what your strengths are – what are you really good at? What are your strengths? And with this comes the opposite, what are you not so good at? Start reflecting on who you are, what your default style is and how you show up.

2. Deepen connection. This is with yourself and with others. Take time to really connect and get to know yourself and others. Connect with others via heart and then head – feeling and then thinking.

3. Be kind. Speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others. Go with strengths and positives first every time.

4. Know your values. Really get to know your values and lean into and live them. They are your guideposts for life and will help you stay on track to being your best self.

5. Take note of others. Other people give insights into who we are and how we lead everyday. Watch how they connect (or don’t) with you. Listen to what they share and say to you (or don’t). As leaders, how we think of ourselves matters and so does how others see and think of us.

Over to You

Take some time to think about what you’re going to do in the next couple of weeks and get cracking. Ohhh and if you haven’t, scroll back up and answer the three questions above!

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The New Year has started different. I’m finding usual activities like resetting for the year ahead and setting intentions and goals is hitting me different. The energy around the new year is different too. How are you going? Have you hit a pause on New Year activities or are you full steam ahead? No rights or wrongs here. But, if you’re feeling different feels to what you’ve felt before, please know you aren’t alone.

I’ve been finding my own ways to work through the events and happenings. We will all have different ways of sitting / moving in and around it. Today I want to share the concept of Chosen versus Unchosen Change as understanding the difference between them helps us to respond more effectively to life’s challenges.

Chosen change is usually planned and intentional. Think changing jobs, buying a new home, moving to the country or deciding to exercise more. The change can still be difficult, but because we choose it, we feel more motivate and in control of the change we’re going for.

Unchosen change happens outside our control. It can be unexpected and emotionally challenging. In fact, it can really stop us in our tracks as it disrupts our day to day life and creates uncertainty around us. Think the death of a loved one, floods, fires, a bad season or money woes. There’s complexity around unchosen change that can hang around and really hit deep. 

Here are a few ways to work through unchosen change that I hope will help …

1. Acknowledge your feelings.  Try to name them eg anger, fear, sadness, disappointment. Don’t ignore them. Allow yourself time to process them knowing the way you will process them is different to the next person.

2. Focus on what you can control. In amongst all the uncertainty, take time to work out how to respond to the change. The goal here is to regain a sense of stability by working out that you can’t stop the change but you can choose your response to it.

3. Ask for help. Reduce your stress by talking to others. Share what’s happening / happened with family, friends and or those you trust. This can reduce your stress and make you feel less isolated.

4. Establish and maintain routines. Return to the basics here of eating, sleeping well, going for a walk and activating routines that give you structure during uncertain times.

5. Practise self care and give yourself time. Look for way to relax and reduce stress. Choose things that nurture and sustain you and do these. Take your eye off the clock and the need to “move on”. Instead, be patient with yourself and take time to recognise the unchosen change and that healing takes time.

Over to You

Take some time to reflect on these. Are any helpful to you right now?  

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I’m a huge fan of the value of gratitude. This includes being kind to myself as well as offering gratitude to others. But, let’s be honest, it can be seen as an added extra and something to do when there’s time or by offering up some kind words as we have our end of year get togethers to signal the close of the year.

Imagine how we could enhance the wellbeing of ourselves and those around us if we included gratitude as an everyday leadership tool. It’s like a magic pill. It can foster positive emotions, reduce stress, improve relationships, promote resilience and give an increased sense of achievement and fulfilment.

I’m going to share a few observations about gratitude with you here now.

1. Enhance your emotional intelligence. Name and get to know gratitude. Include it as a daily practise for you and for those around you. Offer yourself and at least one other person in your network gratitude everyday.

2. Gratitude for good. Gratitude is a feel good thing. In a world where there can be a focus on what’s wrong and the negativity around this, offering gratitude will help you and those around you find the positive, improve relationships and increase resilience. Gratitude is an action.

3. Gratitude and reducing stress are linked. Speaking kindly to yourself and really recognising the value of your thoughts and actions will help you to reduce stress. Without this, we can become pretty full of negativity and this in turn brings on stress.

4. Offering gratitude comes in all shapes and sizes. Let’s keep it simple. A sentence in an email “I’m grateful for your efforts today”, a sticky note that says “love your work” left on a team member’s lunch box, a shout out at a team meeting like “thanks Jim for all your work on the new quality system this week” or a sentence for each team member in a routine email will cause people to stop and feel the gratitude you are offering.

5. Gratitude starts in your mind and takes little time. I know from experience that I have to have in my mind that I want to offer gratitude and then I’ll find the time and the reason to. Yes it’s a tool (like part of a checklist) or your leadership tool kit that you use regularly. It doesn’t take much time, it does need focus and it really can change the world.

Over to You

Take some time to think about adding gratitude to your string of leadership capabilities – one sentence at a time.

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There is no doubt that we all face adversity from time to time. Things can and will go wrong and it’s important for you to have your own way of working through these difficult times. And as a leader to support others work through these times as well. In agriculture and rural communities there’s also the natural elements of drought, flood and fire. No one asks for these and I do want to acknowledge that when they hit they sure can knock you for a 6 and affect how you respond both immediately and into the future.

I’ve personally watched people and leaders deal with adversity and I want to tell you that those who have already found their own way of dealing with set backs, roadblocks and found ways to meet and move through hard times can thrive as a result of adversity. Yes from what I’ve seen in my work though living and working in rural Australia you can actually thrive through adversity. I want to share 5 ways you can create, grow and thrive through adversity so that you have your very own thrive through adversity plan at your finger tips.

The first one is to be prepared. The mind set of be prepared for the worst but hope for the best is a ripper. It means that you have thought through all the what ifs and even have a plan in place for if a fire, flood etc hits or if you wake up one morning and find you have been misquoted on the front page of the newspaper or if your annual staff appraisal doesn’t go as planned. There’s definitely a place for thinking through worse case scenarios in helping you to become mentally prepared for whatever life, work or business throws at you.

The second insight is to be true to your purpose. It’s important for you to know why you are doing what you are doing. This helps to drive you and to keep going when things don’t go to plan. Your purpose helps you to stick at something – especially when it gets tough. You will face things that are definitely beyond your control as a leader and at times things will be uncomfortable. It’s at these times that being clear on what your purpose is and what your role is will help you to return to the job at hand and what’s most important and meaningful to you. I’m a big believer that purpose and positive energy can get you through.

The third insight is to keep a sense of humour. This one can be so very difficult but laughter truly is the best medicine. You and you alone are responsible for your mood and I really believe that stepping back and putting some distance between yourself and an issue allows you to see what’s truly important and to eventually find the lighter side. And laughter and humour are your body’s way of coping – a good laugh releases feel good chemicals which help to reset and keep a positive mind set.

The fourth insight is to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. These are people who you respect and trust. And they are people that you know wholeheartedly want the very best for you. Someone once told me that you become the sum of who you surround yourself with so choose carefully. It’s equally as important to recognise people that aren’t serving you well and to limit your time with them.

And the fifth and final insight for today AND perhaps the most important one of all it to believe in yourself. When you are hit with adversity, unchosen change or things outside your control it is so important that you believe that you are capable of leading yourself and others through uncertainty and can find a way forward. Stay as open minded as you can and call on your self-confidence to get you through, others will be relying on you.

So there are the 5 insights for you. I encourage you to see adversity as an opportunity, to face it with an open mind and to call upon your own insights and confidence to chart the best path forward. And most importantly value yourself and others through this time.

If you like this post and want to explore ways of working with me, please check out our programs here. Or get in touch straight away, send a direct message here.

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I think that if you’re willing to ask these questions then you’re ready to get started and take on the leadership challenge. Afterall, if you don’t push the start button on this, how will you ever know just how far and fast your leadership can go? It all starts with believing in yourself. Today, I’m sharing with you the top 5 lessons that I’ve seen work for emerging leaders over the last 20 years – YES these are tried and tested.

LESSON 1 – Keep a Notebook

We are exposed to leaders every single day – either face to face through our job or business or via social media, TV, books, documentaries and newspapers. And it can be through your personal life too. Take each opportunity to watch, listen and jot down things that these leaders say or do that can apply to yourself or where you are at right now on your leadership journey. And then on a regular basis go back over your notes, highlight those that resonate and then there’s just one more step. And this is the most important really … take the idea to an action and write it into your own leadership action plan. And just in case you are wondering I think everyone should have a Leadership Action Plan no matter where you are on your leadership journey.

LESSON 2 – Develop your Leadership Language

Effective leaders communicate well. They’re able to understand complex items and communicate them in a way that most people will be able to understand. This means;

Increase your leadership vocabulary. Choose your words wisely – make sure they fit who you are and start using them. Ensure you use words that are easy for people you are talking to understand.

Know when to use “I” and “We” and know that when you use “I”; for example, “I will take the lead on inducting new employees into the team” – you are highlighting yourself. And when you use “we”, you are highlighting the value of the team. It’s important to choose which one to use with who as you don’t want to be seen as big noting yourself all the time! 

And Reflect back to people what you hear them say so they have confidence you have actually heard what they’ve said. This is really important, as its how people feel that is important to whether they will act or NOT.

LESSON 3 – Fast track your career or business is Show Commitment and Dedication to Something 

Get your teeth into a task or project and keep at it even when it gets tough. Infact, it’s even more important to stick at it when things get tough – this helps you push through where the majority would stop. Taking on a task or project – especially a difficult one and seeing it through will shine a positive spotlight on you. And you want this. You don’t just want to show up like everyone else, you want to show your strengths and difference. You want to stand out for all the right reasons. It won’t take long for others to notice this and want you on their team or to have you manage a project for them.         

LESSON 4 – Take Considered Risks

Choose your time and place to challenge the status quo. This shows you aren’t scared to say what you think and that you have an eye for doing things differently. Others will see that you are committed to innovation and creating positive change. Back this up with a vision and a plan and get implementing.

This might sound simplistic so I must say something really important here…

I’ve worked with plenty of people who have been able to brainstorm, bring up and challenge new ways of doing things; BUT it’s when you are able to do this AND implement actions to bring about the change that the magic happens.

LESSON 5 – Build Your Network.

I want to start by saying this is not about how many business cards you have or how many listings you have on your database, instead this is about how many people actually know you! Interacting with others is the only way to build you network and your profile, there is no way around this. And each time you do it, someone is likely to make a decision on whether there is value in connecting with you again. This is where you come in! 

• Give people a call and ask them for advice and input 
• Include them in collaborations with you – this could be as simple as asking if you can quote them in an article or if you can share something they’ve said in a future meeting
• Reach out to mentors – where you can ask for feedback about your profile and leadership and what you can do to polish your leadership traits.

OVER TO YOU

So how about it, do you want to stop wasting time and grow into leadership so you can lead and impact even more positive change? If it’s a YES, then please know you can do it and start taking notes and putting in place some actions today to help you get there. And if you’d like to check out our programs and how to work with us, click here.

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