There’s a whole lotta change going on in the world as 2024 begins. A recent article published by The World Economic Forum notes that disruption is increasing on the geopolitical, climate and technology front while trust is decreasing. They conclude “to navigate this new world, businesses will need to be increasingly adaptable and resilient.”
It’s incumbent upon leaders at all levels to build their adaptive capacity to successfully meet this moment of change we are in now. But sending folks off to training programs to learn more skills they can add to their leadership toolkit likely won’t cut it.
In my experience, the most effective leaders are the ones who know that the first person you need to lead is yourself. I absolutely agree with Professor Hitendra Wadhwa, author of Inner Mastery, Outer Impact, who says “Rather than a trait to be acquired, leadership is a state to be activated.” Instead of adding more “tools” to the proverbial leadership toolkit, he proposes leaders turn inwards, and tap into certain internal energies as the key to “shifting the emphasis from learning on the sidelines to leading in the moment.” This idea of turning inward aligns very much with the Calibration stage that is the first step in my COUNT Roadmap from my award-winning book, Lead Conversations that Count: How Busy Managers Run Great Meetings.
How we meet the moment of challenge is crucial, whether it’s in a board meeting or in a conversation with your disillusioned and anxious teen. In this article I’ll share with you 3 strategies to help you lead with greater ease and confidence.
Strategy 1: Be Willing to Unlearn: Adapting to the New Normal
AI and technology are reshaping labor markets and business operations in ways we are just beginning to understand. According to a McKinsey report, automation and AI could displace up to 800 million jobs globally by 2030.
This kind of rapid change is pushing us all into new frontiers. One common pitfall some of my executive coaching clients encounter is doubling down on existing strengths or past strategies when facing new challenges, which often ends up not getting the results they want.
Instead of holding on to past strategies, it’s the time to unlearn and let go so new approaches, perspectives and solutions can be found. This means that leaders need to continually reassess their skill sets and strategies. It’s essential to cultivate a growth mindset within your leadership style. Embrace a willingness to unlearn, relearn, and adapt.
Strategy 2: See Curveballs as Opportunities: Uncovering Inner Strengths
Challenging moments, much like curveballs in a baseball game, reveal aspects of your leadership potential that you may not have realized you possessed. These moments of adversity can be opportunities for growth, resilience, and discovery. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many leaders had to pivot rapidly to adapt to remote work and economic uncertainty. Those who thrived saw these challenges as opportunities to innovate and demonstrate their adaptability.
See curveballs as a pressure cooker where you knowledge, experience, personal values, and perspectives come together in an alchemical way to forge new strengths, resourcefulness and resilience you may never have known you had before. When you face adversity head-on, you not only build your capacity to lead effectively but also inspire and motivate your team to do the same. Remember, the most profound leadership lessons often emerge from the most challenging circumstances.
Strategy 3: Have a Clear Intention: Shaping How You Show Up
In the midst of change, it’s easy to become attached on specific outcomes, especially when dealing with AI-driven market shifts and talent acquisition challenges. However, true leadership is about focusing on how you want to show up in the moment, rather than fixate on what you want to have happen. Your reaction, your demeanor, and your ability to inspire and lead your team are under your control, even when external circumstances are not.
Set a clear intention about the type of leader you want to be. An important building block of my work with coaching clients is not only to define values, but get really clear on how they can be expressed on a daily basis in thought, word, and action. This approach not only empowers you to lead with authenticity and integrity but also sets a positive example for your team.
If you’d like support with leadership within your organization or team, let’s connect to explore whether the Adaptive Advantage (™) program or Level Up Leadership executive coaching program can help!
