While the Great Resignation is changing the makeup of teams and workforces, mid-level managers around the world are being asked to step up, take on new responsibilities, and fast-track their leadership. This is a huge opportunity for most top performers. It’s also a lot like drinking from a fire hose seven days a week.
If you or someone you know stayed behind to pick up the pieces in the wake of this workforce reimagining, this post is for you.
You Can Do This – Here’s How
Leadership is not a title, it’s a way of being. Using small micro disciplines, you can improve how you show up even under a lot of pressure, and grow into the leader you were always meant to be—quickly and efficiently.
Micro-Discipline #1: Rid Yourself of Imposter Syndrome
Nearly every successful person feels like an imposter at some point. Know this: human beings are acorns with all the makings of the great oak tree already inside. Your job is to take action that encourages that greatness to break through to the surface.
HOW
1. Don’t Make it Mean Anything
A feeling has one mission: to be felt. Try allowing yourself to feel the fear, doubt, or unworthiness and not make it mean that you have to do anything about it. That’s the quickest path to showing yourself that fear has no real power.
2. See It For What It Is
Fear and self-doubt are judgments we’re making from the weakest part of ourselves, but inside us is a stronger self, too. Spend a few minutes each morning contemplating this: What is it like to be me when I’m not judging myself? When we stop judging ourselves, we often feel instantaneous relief.
3. Pick Your Thoughts
Recognize that you get to pick the thoughts you hold and allow to run your life. Make a conscious choice to pick thoughts that energize you. One of my favorite practices involves analyzing any situation causing you distress by asking: “Who would I be without this thought?”
Micro-Discipline #2: Consider Doing it Better
What if the Great Resignation was your chance to remake the culture into something stronger than ever? Rather than asking how things have been done before, consider exploring the question, “Given this team/situation as it stands now, how might we do it better?” One way we can improve performance and workforce wellbeing is to boost trust.
HOW
1. Respect others’ model of the world.
2. Recognize and verbalize that we are all on our own development journey.
3. Stay curious and connected; ask questions that communicate honesty and kindness—and create the space for others to do the same.
4. Demonstrate with words and actions: “I respect your model of the world.”
Micro-Discipline #3: Apply the Four Agreements to Your Work
Adapted from the work of Don Miguel Ruiz, these four agreements, practiced daily, can shape your leadership and dramatically improve communication across your team. Consider discussing these with your direct reports and creating a shared vision for success using these simple guideposts for all interactions:
HOW
1. Be Impeccable with Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others; use power of words in direction of truth, kindness.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you; what others say and do is only about their perception. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best will change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.
For more leadership tips, resources, and ways to skill-build on the fly, check out this series on how to build a Success Mindset: LINK
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Feel free to reach out directly if I can support you!
