Friday, November 10, 2017
What will it take to move your business in a new direction?
More courage and less chatter–in your head.
According to Gallup, being
courageous was an important factor relating to workers’ overall evaluation of the performance of their company’s president, leader or CEO.
When you think about courage, you might think of images like a lion or soldier. You might think of the need to be loud, bold or daring.
You might think of courage as something that you muster on big occasions–when you give a big talk, announce a new deal or respond to a crisis.
But quiet courage is needed every day. It’s the ingredient that you include in almost every leadership decision or action.
Quiet courage is like a power source that can help you, not just get through the day, but lead others through their day.
Quiet courage is needed when:
You have to have a difficult conversation.
You ask for feedback.
You want to make a change.
You are vulnerable.
You express a different view.
You take a risk.
You disrupt the status quo.
You feel like you’re flying solo.
To build quiet courage, you don’t have to “do more” of something.
Instead do less fear-based thinking. Stop the thinking that keeps you too small or safe.
How?
- Recognize when you’re getting in your own way. The culprit is the conversation you’re having in your own head. Noticing your own negative thoughts is a good starting point.
- Hold empowering beliefs. Write them down. Instead of thinking, “What if this fails…” Try, “This will be a success because…” Envision your success and the success of your business.
- Stay inspired. Hang around other people who inspire you. They are often the more courageous types anyway.
Whether you’re stepping into the boardroom, a new business, or a new role, believe that you are ready. Talk yourself into it…not out of it.
It’s not surprising that many leaders are exploring mindfulness. They are seeking ways to quiet the voices in their head and reduce stress.
I recently led a private Executive Women’s Retreat where we discussed these issues that many leaders struggle with on their own. I see too many capable leaders holding themselves back.
I explained that
it doesn’t matter what your vision or strategy is if you don’t have the right beliefs or mindset to support it. You must have courage as part of your leadership mindset.
When you build your quiet courage, you can:
- Rise above the noise and think more clearly.
- Set yourself apart as a leader.
- Build your business more easily.
- Move your business in a new direction.
- Make a bigger impact.
Cultivate your quiet courage so it runs in the background of everything you do.
It will power you to new heights and help you change course when needed.
Simply working on leadership skills or checking off your to-do list is not enough in your role.Shifting how you think and feel in your leadership role, that’s game changing.