When Things Get Difficult
In leadership, there are times when our experience and skillset is sufficient to handle the challenge at hand and other times, when a new scenario stretches us to capacity.
When we’re facing a familiar situation, one we feel confident to handle, we simply move into action and our habitual behaviours guide us from moment to moment. If we’ve been there, done that, there likely isn’t too much over thinking happening, and even if there is, we ultimately do what needs to get done and things move forward.
When, however, we are facing a new scenario, one that is challenging and important, we often have a lot of thinking about what to do. When our habitual way of handling things falls short, we may resort to protecting our status and reputation over learning and growing. We do this at our own expense. While our brain, which is always monitoring for risk and threats, may perceive new and unfamiliar as a risk to protect against, a conscious leader will embrace this as a chance to expand.
While our unchecked tendency may be to keep trying old strategies, to blame others and protect ourselves, this leads to more problems and little by way of solutions.
When a leader notices that they are in a new situation, one that requires new ideas and approaches the best course of action is to slow down, to take a few minutes in the morning to do nothing, to simply be. A 5 to 10 minute conscious morning coffee or tea will do more for you and the situation at hand than the multitude of things you might try from a place of fear or protection. An experienced coach or mentor may also help to slow you down, help you see what is driving your actions and facilitate new insights that guide you forward. If you don’t have a coach or mentor, my best advice is to simply carve out a few minutes in your day to allow magic to happen.
When Quincy Jones said, "leave at least 20 or 30 percent of room for the Lord to walk through the room," he touches on a profound truth about creativity and problem-solving. When we find ourselves struggling or feeling overwhelmed, our instinct is often to push harder or work faster. However, this approach can actually hinder our progress and block inspiration. Instead, Jones suggests that we should slow down and create space in our process. This deliberate pause allows for unexpected insights to emerge and "magic to happen."
By stepping back and allowing our minds to breathe, we open ourselves to new perspectives and creative solutions that may not have been visible in our frantic efforts. This principle applies not just to artistic endeavors, but to any challenging situation in life or work. Sometimes, the best way forward is to take a step back and allow inspiration the room it needs to flourish.