LEADERSHIP INSIGHT:

It is essential to prioritize your own well-being and restoration to access the positive perspective, energy, and creativity needed to get through these challenging times.

While coaching Senior Leaders over the past year some common observations and best practices emerged. This article is the first in a series containing leadership learnings from the pandemic that I hope you can relate to and find helpful.

How are you preparing yourself to navigate through change?

• The world has changed and it won’t change back. 
• Change continues to take place at an accelerated rate.  
• Uncertainty is here for the foreseeable future, and it breeds anxiety.
• We aren’t designed to be in a prolonged state of stress. 
• Physical health and wellness impact our ability to navigate complexity.
• Mindset, something we can control, impacts creative thinking and action. 
• Opportunities exist – if we have the mindset to look.

Grab a notebook or open a file on your computer to answer these questions and better equip yourself for what’s ahead.

1. What are your ‘go to’ responses when faced with change and uncertainty?
2. What are you doing to build patience and resilience? 
3. How are you caring for yourself – physically, mentally, emotionally, intellectually?
4. How are you cultivating a positive mindset? How are you inspiring yourself?
5. Picture yourself as ‘even better’ due to your experiences. What does that look like? 

Commit to a morning routine, habit, or practice to start daily based on what you need to replenish in the areas you feel depleted.

Establish this new practice for yourself so you can lead by example when focusing on the wellness and resiliency of your team and those close to you. Consider when you will do this, where, and experiment with what will work for you. 

Next, we will look at the current realities related to leading, communicating and engaging others.