The Magic You’re Looking for is in the Work You’re Avoiding
In the pursuit of leadership growth and success, we attend webinars, read leadership books, and seek advice from mentors, all in the hope of uncovering the secret to success. However, what if the growth we’re searching for is right in front of us, embedded in the very tasks or situations we tend to avoid?
The Art of Avoidance
As leaders, it’s not uncommon to find ourselves sidestepping certain responsibilities. Whether it’s the challenging conversations, the daunting administrative tasks, or the uncomfortable decisions, these are the very tasks that, when tackled head on, can accelerate your personal growth and subsequently your growth as a leader.
Confronting the Uncomfortable
Consider this – the magic isn’t in the easy wins; it’s in the challenges that push us beyond our comfort zones. It’s in the trenches of adversity that leaders refine their skills, raise their self-awareness, and hone their emotional intelligence. Avoiding difficult tasks may provide momentary relief, but our leadership may go no further. By confronting the things we’re inclined to avoid, we build resilience, new skills, gain new perspectives and insights, and grow.
The Ripple Effect
Your team reflects who you are as a leader. If you have habits holding you back, you'll likely see traces of them in your team, though not exactly the same. When you work on fixing things within yourself, you'll notice positive changes in your team too. Facing challenges you've been avoiding inspires your team to do the same. By showing vulnerability and courage, you create a shared bravery that shapes your team to be as resilient as you are.
Confronting Conflicts: A Clinical Director's Courageous Journey to Embrace Growth
Meet Simon, the Clinical Director who embarked on a journey focused on enhancing his confidence, a journey. Confidence, or the lack thereof, emerged as a stumbling block for Simon, hindering his ability to address conflicts within the team promptly. Despite understanding the importance of tackling issues early on, Simon found himself hesitating, allowing certain detrimental habits and behaviours to persist. This reluctance had consequences — a few team members were running amok, engaging in gossip, and shirking responsibilities, creating a toxic atmosphere that affected not only the practice but also client relationships.
Beneath Simon's struggle there was a deep-rooted fear. He feared being perceived as a pushy, unkind, or nagging leader if he adopted a stricter approach. This fear, however, conflicted with his realisation that, by not taking action, he was doing a disservice to the rest of the team. A few disruptive elements were tarnishing the tone, mood, and morale for everyone else.
Over the course of 15 sessions, our discussions always circled back to this central challenge. Simon's growth hinged on his ability to confront this situation he had been avoiding. Together, we delved into the beliefs and perceptions surrounding leadership that were ingrained in him from past experiences. Simon's early exposure to controlling, micromanaging, and borderline unkind leaders had left an indelible mark.
Through our sessions, Simon found a path to honour his authentic self and core values. The journey involved developing new skills in communication and conflict resolution. By grappling with the uncomfortable he overcame his fear of being a stern leader and breathed fresh inspiration into the team who could see him embracing positive change.
Simon's story teaches us that leadership growth often demands the courage to confront our deepest fears and beliefs. It's a journey of self-discovery, where facing the uncomfortable becomes the catalyst for transformation.
The next time you catch yourself shying away from a task, remember that this task is uniquely designed for you, to take you and your leadership to the next level. Embrace the challenges, engage in the uncomfortable, and enjoy the magic that awaits you!
