The story you tell yourself matters.
As a business leader, the story you tell yourself matters.
The news this past month has painted a bleak picture – these are uncertain political and economic times.
This unique set of circumstances may already be impacting your business. Maybe your clients are less likely to make a purchase or start a new project. Maybe you’re not sure how your supply chain will be affected by any new tariffs. You, your family, and your team members may be dealing with additional concerns as international news updates pour in.
The mindset with which you approach these challenges matters. The story you tell yourself will impact your determination, creativity, problem solving, and ability to lead.
That doesn’t mean falling into toxic positivity, ignoring the issues and their impacts and forcing yourself to “look on the bright side!”
But your ability to navigate stormy seas starts with the story you tell yourself. The right mindset allows you to take control of the situation instead of becoming its victim.
The Victim Trap
The victim mindset strips you of your power. By definition, a victim is overwhelmed by their circumstances, and they have no agency to change whatever situation they find themselves in.
They might:
Cast blame, asking, “Whose fault is this?”
Focus on finding excuses for inaction (The government! The economy! Industry trends!)
Sit in denial and ignore or avoid the issues
It doesn’t work.
Finding a culprit doesn’t solve the problem or change the facts
If everything that’s wrong is because of external factors, there’s nothing an individual can do about it
You can’t change what you refuse to acknowledge
The Victor Mindset
When you take responsibility for your own actions, hold yourself and your team to account for meeting your goals by updating and following your plan, and take ownership of your attitude and your results, you’re back in a powerful position.
You might ask:
What is under my control?
What’s the next step?
What do we need to stop doing?
Where can we change our approach?
What new opportunities are out there?
How can we play to our strengths?
What other resources might we have?
Who else can help?
In other words, you may not have all the answers, but your hand is firmly on the tiller. You’re steering the ship.
This Week’s Takeaway
Navigating business challenges means making quick decisions and changing the things that need changing. It’s impossible to succeed if you’re focused instead on blame, excuses, and denial.
Whether the obstacles in your path are large or small, what mindset shift can you make that will allow you to get the best results from whatever situation you’re faced with?
Become More Resilient This February
Without management, chaos replaces strategy.
This February, the 12-week Management Program opens! It’s a series of educational sessions to help hone your coordination, refine your management process, and keep you up-to-date on the best practices every great manager must master.
Learn more, and register here to get started
Multipliers: By Liz Wiseman
This is one of those books that really makes you rethink leadership. It breaks down the difference between leaders who drain energy and talent from their teams (Diminishers) and those who amplify the intelligence of those around them (Multipliers). If you want to get more from your people without burning them out (or yourself), this book is worth your time.
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