5 Ways to Rescue Yourself as a Leader through Transition and Change

I've seen that successful entrepreneurs and leaders are those who can learn to lead themselves and others effectively through change.

However during critical times of change, the leaders who can get too reliant on other people's opinions and external conditions outside of their control may fall into a trap of judging themselves and others to the point where it affects their ability to make effective decisions at the right time.

Self-doubt and limiting beliefs can affect us all, especially during times of change.

I've seen some of the most intelligent entrepreneurs and executives with MBAs, PhDs and Degrees from leading universities scratch their heads and wonder why they keep making the same bad hires, fail to get their dream job, or lose revenue.

When they explore further they find they've spent so long looking for someone or something else to come and save them from their business, career, relationships, or/and profits, that their fear-based behaviours are getting in the way of them making. better decisions.

In the midst of uncertainty, they have forgotten how to take ownership of creating what they really want. Whereby their underlying fears are causing them to hold themselves back due to an inherent "need to be rescued" blindspot.

When times get tough, many leaders can find themselves feeling they lack confidence. Hoping, praying, and wishing that someone else or something else will come and save them so that they can achieve the freedom and success that they crave. 

-the next big deal or investment

-the next promotion 

-the next great hire 

-the next job offer with a big salary 

The problem with relying on external validation for confidence and fulfilment, as neuroscience research shows, can only lead to dissatisfaction, disappointment and a tendency to:

· Blame others

· Blame ourselves and doubt our capabilities

· Overestimate the feeling of fulfilment and happiness we can get from other people's validation

· Overestimate the feeling of happiness we can get from financial and materialistic gain.

Transformation focused and impact driven leaders must set goals and expand their growth. But the issue comes when the inner narrative becomes that when "I go from X to Y then it's going to quickly take my problem away and save me from pain or failure of some kind".

At least until the same problem comes up again.

So how can you get on track with "rescuing yourself" first so that you can serve others better?

Keep Building your Mental Resilience and Self Awareness

Our belief systems and thoughts govern our actions.

Successful leaders learn to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. They can accept life is guaranteed to bring ups and downs. And that in the flux of change, we will naturally feel more uncertain, lack confidence and clarity.

Science proves that our fears naturally have a natural way of wanting to keep us in our comfort zone.

When you can learn to manage and embody your fears as signals with enough self compassion to respond in line with your vision, rather than letting your emotions dictate how you think and react in the world each day, you’ll be able to cultivate greater mental space to get focus and get clarity what you need to learn, accept, or let go of, to move forward. 

Belief in Your Future Self

The only person who can rescue you is YOU. Colleagues, stakeholders, mentors, coaches, and therapists can join you, work for you and support you by “holding your hand” but the only you can be responsible for action and self-belief in your ability to learn how to take yourself and others on the journey towards the objectives that matter.

Clarity of Your Vision for Effective Decisions

Research from Harvard shows that 60% of CEOs fail in the first 6 months of their role because of their inability to make quick enough decisions. Which can only come with a clear vision. You will make wrong decisions sometimes, the key is always how quickly you can learn, adapt and course correct.

Leaders who can quickly adopt a growth mindset, and fail forward are the ones who can achieve their milestones quicker.

It is also critical that you make decisions in the context of where you want to go. Studies show that leaders who can base their decisions based on their future vision consistently are able to achieve better results.

Learn How to Focus and Take Action on your (and your teams) Strengths

A clear vision is a must but you only get what you decide to focus on and take action on.

Economists like Pareto who define that 20% of our focus activities generate 80% of results and many other great Economists, modern business thought leaders like Dan Sullivan who talk about how to improve Focus and Action and neuroscientists like Csikszentmihalyi who have researched flow, one thing is clear. productivity and results grow exponentially when you can enable teams to focus on their strengths both practically and emotionally. In addition when those teams can understand how to manage their time effectively to focus on the right things, at the right time, they can thrive through peaks and troughs.

Trust People Smarter than you, on a level playing field

Trust is earned by giving trust first. And it's easier for leaders cultivate this in environments where the culture supports a win-win ethos.

Extensive research shows that Teams that cultivate trust are more productive, happier and innovative.

During change however problems can arise when fear creeps in and the voice of the imposter or the need to please others, results in us placing ourselves "beneath" or "above" someone. Which in turn affects communication and effective team work.

With clear goals and responsibilities amongst teams whose strengths complement one another for mutual success, it becomes easier to maintain trust.

As humans we are naturally able to adapt well. Even if our mind can have us think otherwise. When we feel we need to be rescued we are usually doubting our own capability, which is why it's important to be able to understand how your strengths, focus, and actions contribute to the overall goals that you're looking to create... because in the words of Aristotle, The Only Thing Permanent in Nature is Change.