Regardless of the nature and size of the business or team, we might lead, we regularly face challenges inviting us to transform. As long as we are focussing on how the business has to transform, we are missing the point. To transform any business, it’s us, the leaders, who have to transform. On the one hand, we are part of the problem (which can be a confronting insight), yet on the other hand, it means that we are capable of overcoming any challenge. We are asked to transform and stop doing whatever got us stuck.
What got us here will not get us to the next level
It started in 2014 when I lacked inspiration at work and also struggled becoming a faster hobby marathon runner. An accidental right turn at my garden gate made all the difference. I realised that I had always turned left leaving my house, not even curious what the other side had on offer. I started turning right wherever I could (metaphorically speaking). I switched off my autopilot and gathered all my courage to explore what would happen if I acted outside of my default.
What had made me successful were my discipline, urge to control, and rational thinking. But they prevented me from embracing the unknown, effectively dealing with the unexpected or tapping into my intuition. Doing the same will not lead to step-change growth. Turning right through unleashed magic within me I had never dreamed of.
Our biggest challenges are not technical but require adaptive leadership
One of my metaphoric right turns was to leave behind the predictability of marathons and enter the world of ultramarathons. To reach my dream of representing Australia at the world championships I needed an A-standard qualifier (at least 240 kilometres). When we face adaptive challenges, the deeper question is who we need to become.
The way forward was to work on my mindset and learn how to deal with pressure situations when curveballs were thrown at me. I learned how to stay present and motivated to succeed even when the outlook was grim. As a result, I not only qualified but even became the fastest-ever Aussie at the 24-hour world championships.
How to reframe challenges through COVID as growth opportunities
My key question after that peak experience was how to apply these learnings in the business environment. Shortly after the event, I left my corporate leadership role to set up my own business and support leaders and organisations in their transformational journeys. The irony was that I was the first one who had to transform – once again. Only days after I had let go of a regular paycheck, COVID hit Australia and the several lockdowns seemed to set an end to my young business.
It was a timely reminder to see our major challenges as an invite to switch our mindsets. We all get to the point where the easiest way out is to give up. The more productive alternative is to surrender – surrender to new circumstances. I was invited to recognise what opportunities the seemingly destructive forces had brought with them. In my case, COVID asked me to run transformational projects, executive coaching and inspirational team sessions not face-to-face but online. It opened up the market I am targeting significantly beyond Melbourne and even Australia.
To become all that we can be, we are asked to step up our leadership. For transformation to occur, we might have to let go of what made us successful and embrace the discomfort of walking new paths without fully knowing where they will lead.
