According to an article in McKinsey & Company: McKinsey Quarterly, “Six problem-solving mindsets for very uncertain times,” leaders who are great problem solvers recognize their mindset is as important as the methods they practice. The article states, “A mindset that encourages curiosity, embraces imperfection, rewards a dragonfly-eye view of the problem, creates new data from experiments and collective intelligence and drives action through compelling show-and-tell storytelling creates radical new possibilities under high levels of unpredictability.”
In my last article, “Leaders: How Will You Have to Evolve?” I shared the most significant characteristics of the fifth of the nine stages of change, “evolve.” In this article, I introduce the sixth stage, “embrace,” to help you determine if you are on this stage of the change process and provide techniques to create forward movement towards mastery.
Exploration & Thriving
So much has changed, especially you. You have accomplished a lot. You realize your major change no longer takes center stage in your life. Although you faced other unrelated changes, you have managed them while remaining emotionally balanced — for the most part. You may discover new self-imposed and weakened boundaries that will require much-needed adjustments. Your life is still filled with uncertainty and fear, but you have begun to choose your responses. Your work with mentors and life and business coaches has helped you evolve and expand your capacity. In this stage, an inner strength will begin to emerge. As you embrace change, you realize your energy has shifted to a more constant, powerful presence within you; it is dynamic energy. It propels you towards self-exploration and discovery.
Open-Minded & Curious
Some changes can expose weakened foundations or unfavorable conditions in your industry, business or profession. In the past, you may have responded by depending on known methods to stabilize or rebuild. Now, you are more willing to come face-to-face with self-imposed boundaries. You entertain new or different perspectives and seek data and insight from diverse sources within and outside your network. To further expand your “dragonfly-eye,” multiple lenses view and facilitate a smoother transition, you partner with mentors and business coaches.
Movement Through Fears
If you only move forward when you know all the facts, then no movement will take place, because things are continually changing. There was a time when I was paralyzed by my inability to decide if I should start my own business. I was lulled into indecision by thoughts of what could go wrong. My lack of confidence and courage weighed me down. After we ponder what is at stake, we may hesitate to act. We may even wish that someone else could make the decision. Perhaps logic and reason are bullied by apprehension and dread. Have you ever felt unable to make a critical decision due to a lack of courage?
Through many experiences, I finally learned that uncertainty and fear should alert you to proceed with caution, not force you to turn around or stop. Do not cheat yourself out of a wealth of opportunities. Stand on what you know at any given time, and move forward with the knowledge that you will make the best possible decision.
Honor Your Decision
During uncertain times, you may feel forced into a decision dictated by circumstances. The truth is that whichever way you proceed, you have made a choice. Make a conscious decision, and honor it. Then choose if, what, when and how you will modify, expand or terminate that course of action. If you go forward with the belief that you have been forced to make a professional decision, your goals will feel like they are tied to a lead weight, and your energy will pay a heavy toll.
Expand Dynamic Energy
Everything you think, feel or do requires energy. It is not merely how much you have, it is the type of energy you have that is key. Mastering change requires a certain quantity and quality of energy. The first four stages of change focused on increasing the quantity of energy you possess. It is challenging to develop dynamic energy without having a certain quantity of energy.
In the fifth and sixth stages, you learned how to develop dynamic energy. Dynamic energy is present when your thoughts and emotions are used to accelerate productive, progressive, sustainable actions to build a life you love. It is a state of being and doing. Dynamic energy helps you progress towards the sustainable results you need to master your change.
The next article will introduce the seventh stage of the “9 Aspects of Change,” “champion.”
Donna Johnson-Klonsky, MBA, PCC
DJ Consulting Services Inc.
East Fishkill, New York 12533
djohnson@djcsfirm.com
845-447-1037
