Being a world class leader is being a masterful change agent.
Change outside of us is inevitable. Change within us is a choice.
Our mindset, our knowledge, the quality of our relationships, and even our success can all be profoundly affected by our choices. Our ability to adapt effectively to the changes around us and make the best decisions will dictate our success and the success of our organization.
Here are 6 elements to becoming a highly proficient change agent.
🔎 The first element is Awareness. This is noticing what’s working and what needs work. What has to be improved? Often, this comes from the gift of contrast. An experience or outcome we don’t want informs us of what we do want and what needs to be or could be different.
🎭 The next A is Attitude. This is our approach to something and needs to be a conscious choice. We can be either optimistic or pessimistic. We can be compassionate or callused and arrogant. We can choose to be open, curious, and resourceful. We can choose to be stubborn and rigid. We may not be able to control the situation or circumstance we are in. However, we always have the choice to choose the healthiest perspective from which to operate. Choose the attitude that will serve you and your team the best.
🔄️ Anticipate what may go wrong and also what can go well. Great leaders develop an ability to somehow see around the corner before it has been turned. It’s said success comes from good judgment and that good judgment comes from experience. Experience often comes from bad judgment. We will all get it wrong from time-to-time. The trick is to learn from those moments of bad judgement.
🎬Action is key. No one can navigate a parked car. We need to get into motion to get the feedback we seek to guide are next steps. Make sure it is focused and inspired action that aligns with the values and vision of the organization.
👍🏼Accountability. When it comes down to it, we are all much more capable than we give ourselves, and others, credit for. Creating a culture of holding ourselves and others “capable” (accountable to what they are capable of achieving) is critical. When we perform at our capacity, we are in integrity with ourselves which equates to happiness. Happy people are productive people. Happiness equals progress.
🔬 Analysis. By this we simply mean celebrate and calibrate continuously. Somewhere between diapers and getting our business cards printed, we forgot how to celebrate. Take the time to do so for both the big wins as well as the small ones. Lock in the learning and continue to grow and move forward. Calibration brings us back full circle to the first A – awareness. Notice, from this new place, what needs to change or improve and work through the A’s.
You got this! Make it up, make it fun, and get it done!