The executive leader walked in the office of VIM Executive Coaching saying she needed a re-set. A change in attitude, purpose, vision for her future and an entirely new approach to the way in which she approached life.
Wow, that’s a pretty tall order for the first hour of business coaching!
She explained she had been down “this road” several times before. How many, she couldn’t say. She had read many books on re-setting life’s priorities and, of course, the latest podcasts and virtual presentations on more effective leadership approaches, “listening skills,” finding determination and her favorite course title, “Executive Leadership without Stress.” It turned out the “without stress” path caused her even more stress.
Re-setting what?
Lately, we have heard the term “re-set” applied to numerous executive leadership situations. Except, of course, executive leadership and its challenges is not a video game. The game cannot be stopped, then started, then stopped again when an uncomfortable decision needs to be made. The challenges of executive leadership are endless; the problems are on a continuum of problems; the solutions that may have worked yesterday or last week, may fall flat today.
There is a reason so many courses, lectures, keynote speeches and experts have emerged on the topic of executive leadership. While we never want to sound harsh or critical, having been business coaches for quite some time, we understand that many executives desire fast, easy, rather painless answers, than putting in the work.
The path to being an effective executive leader must invariably start with an inner journey that far too many are unwilling to undertake. The re-set, the inspiring keynote speech, the dynamic dynamo motivational leadership bootcamp, are largely cosmetic. More than that, they are not you. They may be for someone else, or for no one in particular, but definitely not for you.
Your breath is unique
The executive leader who strives to be mindful, and to be able to compassionately respond to situations that confront them, understands that the key to managing situations is to be the same authentic individual no matter the circumstance.
Striving for authenticity is to be on a quest for mindfulness. Mindfulness, really knowing oneself, is an incredible executive leadership tool that has withstood the test of time. If we learn to understand ourselves, and to be in the moment, we can achieve the ability to see things for how they are, not necessarily what we want them to be.
Just as everyone has a unique breath, so too has everyone a unique set of life experiences and often biases. The key to becoming a great executive leader, is to cast aside “expectations” borne of life connections and biases borne of fears or preconceptions. The executive leader who approaches life with a sense of being mindful and in the moment has no need to re-set, but to fully experience what is being presented.
When people constantly strive to re-set themselves, they are often dissatisfied with whom they think themselves to be. They blame a lack of performance or effectiveness on themselves. The VIM Executive Coaching approach appreciates who you are, and what makes you a unique person potentially capable of being an executive leader. You are, you know.
What you may lack, may be the ability to be fully engaged and mindful in the moment. Mindfulness training is the key to appreciating who you are. It is an approach without fancy bells and whistles, but to see yourself as an effective executive; appreciating yourself and working with your gifts. It is an approach that seeks compassion and celebrates authenticity.