Great Leaders Learn to Shift Their Thinking
It has been more than 25 years since one of my past jobs (as a senior product manager) was eliminated. I was shocked and disheartened and immediately had a number of thoughts running through my head. Initially, they weren’t very helpful thoughts, but it wasn’t long before I made a decision that has had a profound impact on my life. I decided to change the way I was thinking about the situation.
I moved from a spiral of negative thoughts to a new lens that saw the situation as one of great opportunity and promise. What is the end of the story? I moved into a new role that provided new challenges and great experiences that have shaped who I am today as an executive leadership coach.
John Maxwell says, “If you are willing to change your thinking, you can change your feelings. If you change your feelings, you can change your actions. And changing your actions - based on good thinking - can change your life.”
I’ve experienced this first hand and find it is a game changer for my clients. However, it is not easy. Here are a few tips for shifting your thinking to elevate your leadership:
1. Embrace the Power of Perspective
In challenging situations, shift your focus from dwelling on problems to seeking opportunities. This change in perspective can open up new avenues for growth and innovation.
2. Surround Yourself with Diverse Thinkers
Great leaders know the value of diverse perspectives. Embracing different viewpoints can lead to more creative solutions and better decision-making.
3. Regularly Reflect and Adapt
Make reflection a regular practice by taking time to assess your thoughts, actions, and their impact. Adjust your thinking using these insights.
In coaching leaders, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformational journey of shifted thinking many times as I’ve guided my clients through the process, and helped them create actionable strategies that elevate their leadership.
I encourage you to reflect on where you can benefit from changing your thinking right now, and put one or more of these tips into practice. Perhaps many years later you will see the fruit of that decision like I did.