INSIGHTS (on leadership/self-leadership)
I recently discovered some very interesting research in the Harvard Business Review on the six classic approaches leaders take under stress – and how they can backfire. I summarize the findings here in hopes it’s of value to you (cuz’ it aint like your workplace will get less stressful).
1. Lighthouse. Calm, cool, collected, staying focused on the horizon. But it can be mistaken for a lack of urgency, so be sure to a) explain your intentions (why you’re staying calm), b) encourage people to share their emotions and reciprocate, and c) signal momentum (small decisions and next steps).
2. Alchemist. You see pressure as a catalyst for change and an opportunity for growth; it’s time to mix things up. But if you prolong the uncertainty, things can turn chaotic as you constantly pivot. So, have a clear vision for the change you’re spearheading, and be certain to mix pragmatism with possibility.
3. Firefighter. Move fast, role-model urgency, decide, mobilize. But prolonged urgency drives impulsive decisions and burns out the organization. So, pause before acting to ensure your organization is about to go do the right things. Enroll others in decisions, early and often. And slow the pace down a bit by reviewing the urgent actions you took to see what worked and what didn’t (to inform better decisions in the future).
4. Stoic. You role-model discipline, self-control. Analysis. Careful, measured movements only. Hold to principles, strive for stability. But you can get lost in the data, coming across as withdrawn when the organization needs to emotionally connect with you the most. To prevent this, ensure your steadiness comes across as a drive for clarity, not a wall you’re putting up. Don’t be afraid to emote, and be receptive to what others are feeling.
5. Diplomat. You lead with tact, focusing on open dialogue, lessening conflict, and building bridges and connections. But this can lead to a focus on consensus over candor. It can unintentionally squash productive conflict. To avoid this, be clear on where you stand on issues and encourage healthy debate.
6. Container. You lead with structure and control. Stress is a threat that requires a strong and steady response, led by a small group of people. But sustained intense focus and controlling things within an “inner circle” can burn you out, and leave people feeling shut out and uninformed. Know when to bring people in to help shape the appropriate response, and model rest and renewal as part of what it takes to succeed in times of intensity.
IMPERFECTIONS (a mistake many make)
I think one of the worst pieces of advice that too many people make the mistake of following is this:
“Fake it ‘til you make it.”
Please don’t. Let me offer an alternative.
“Act as if. Believe you are.”
Act as if you 100% deserve that promotion. Believe you are fully qualified to crush that new role, instead of wondering if you’ll be found out a fraud.
Act as if you’re an author now, simply because you started writing. Believe you are, while not caving in to the thousands of self-skeptical thoughts that keep laying on your path to completing that book.
Act as if you’re going to nail that interview and get that job. Believe you are the one they’ve been looking for, rather than letting doubt weaken the impression you make.
These examples highlight the problem with “fake it ‘til you make it.” It requires pretending. You’ll fake being enough, until you hopefully figure out how to be enough.
Sorry, it doesn’t work that way.
But when you “act as if – believe you are”, there’s no pretense. The “act” isn’t derived from the word “actor,” but from “action.” You’re simply taking action in a way that says you already are what you’re trying to become. You’re invoking the Law of Attraction, catching its attention with presumptive behavior, collecting an advance on what’s coming anyway, speaking it into existence ahead of schedule, but then making it a self-fulfilling prophecy with your unswerving self-belief. Without one ounce of faking anything.
It’s not “fake it ‘til you make it.” It’s assuming you’ve already made it, based on things you know to be true about yourself, and taking action accordingly – thus accelerating the timeline to when the rest of the world sees it, too. Said another way:
IMPLEMENTATION (one research-backed strategy, tip, or tool)
Do you put too much pressure on yourself to do impressive, noteworthy things? Do you feel let down when that isn’t exactly going as you’d hoped?
If so, welcome to the human race.
Here’s a simple, but effective reminder.
You don’t have to do the extraordinary; just do the ordinary extra well.
Success has more than one path. Accomplishment wears more than one hat.
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