What's Wrong When Something's Wrong?
The CEO asked a question about how a situation was handled and he thought for sure he was going to be fired.
A team member with a mediocre performance record asked for a raise and she thought to herself, "You've got to be kidding!!"
Two project managers are arguing over next steps and they come to you for a decision. You think to yourself, "How did I get myself into this situation?"
Can you relate? I know I can. As a leader in the public sector for 23 years, I often found myself at the mercy of these kinds of scenarios.
So what causes us to respond to these types of scenarios as if something is wrong?
The truth is these (and all) situations are, well, just situations. It is we who apply the judgment lenses of good or bad; right or wrong. And when we limit ourselves to these dichotomous choices, we don blinders that limit our response choices.
How does this happen? We judge ourselves, others and circumstances when our Saboteur brain is in control of our thoughts. When your Saboteur brain is in control, your mind becomes your worst enemy.
The good news your mind can become your best friend.
What if, in the above scenarios, instead of showing up with anxiety, disappointment and frustration you could show up with curiosity, creativity and excitement?
How would your responses change?
How would your leadership change?
How would your life change?
For many of us, the Saboteur brain is the one that dominates, while the "muscles" of our brain that give us access to our greatest wisdom remain weak.
The good news is that there is a way to both build up the Sage (wisdom) mental muscle and weaken the Saboteur brain. It's called Mental Fitness.
Mental fitness is your capacity to respond to life's challenges with a positive versus a negative mindset.
Just as with physical fitness, mental fitness requires both insight to understand how to strengthen the muscles and consistent practice to build and sustain muscle strength.
As a mentally fit leader, you are able to view every outcome or circumstance as a gift or opportunity.
A question from the CEO becomes an opportunity to learn and share your insight.
A request for a raise becomes an opportunity to discuss performance strengths and gaps.
A conflict between two people becomes a gift allowing everyone to be heard.
Research outlined in the book Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine has shown that Mental Fitness leads to:
Better Performance
More Peace of Mind
Healthier Relationships
Now imagine if your whole team is mentally fit. What difference would it make to your leadership? to your team? to your organization?
What's wrong when something's wrong? When you're mentally fit, nothing is wrong.
What to know more about Total Life Leadership's 8 Week Mental Fitness Bootcamp?
Here's a link to learn more:
https://www.total-life-leadership.com/mental-fitness-bootcamp
About the Author
Gayle Ely is a Leadership Coach, Trainer and Facilitator who believes Passionate Leadership can change the world. She works with business and non-profit leaders and service entrepreneurs to help them perform more effectively so they and their businesses can thrive.
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