The Mind Shift of An Empowered Leader

The world was forced into multiple life-impacting events simultaneously. We witnessed unprecedented global social unrest and political upheaval in many nations. Coupled with these was a pandemic that not only shut down the world but also forced a financial situation and for added measure, a supply chain crisis. These have all plunged us into a new normal. As the pandemic is subsiding, the question we should be asking is how are we embracing our new normal. 

The answer is to change our way of thinking by adopting the mind shift of an empowered leader. A mind shift is a complete and conscious transformation of how one mentally handles a situation.

Mind Shift of an Empowered Leader

Shifting Mindset: Empowered leaders accept that the speed of change has accelerated and embraces it. They adjust their mindset to see change as an opportunity. They consider every setback as a new opportunity to shape their future.

Shifting Position: Empowered leaders know if they remain where they are, they will never get to where their vision is. They don’t get stuck in the process of change. They know the fear of leaping into the future can hamper progress. Therefore, they develop courage and resolve to shift their position.

Shifting Approach: To operate at the next level, empowered leaders understand it requires a transformation from the old approach. For example, they may have approached their past successes independently and were self-sufficient. Their new approach could be working interdependently through collaborations.

Here are three steps to adopt the mind shift of an empowered leader. 

Step 1: Assess Your Current Position

The first step is determining where you are on the journey to progress through the change cycle. Determine whether you are mentally stuck or moving forward. It’s great if you are making progress. However, a deep longing to return to what you had pre-Covid-19 is evidence you may be stuck. If stuck, ask yourself the following three questions: 

1. Are you stuck in the past due to past hurt or mistrust?
2. Are you stuck in the present due to confusion or lack of direction?
3. Are you stuck because of the unknown and fear of the future?

Acknowledging your current position will help you accelerate progress or overcome the barriers to progress. For example, forgiving and releasing hurt can free you up emotionally to move forward. On the other hand, knowing you are in a position of power can motivate you to move even faster.

Step 2: Evaluate Your New Toolbox

You may have lost some of your prior comforts and conveniences. However, recognize you have many new gifts. 

1. Tools: Technology took a giant leap forward during the pandemic. Videoconferencing was moved beyond the corporate board room and into everyone’s living room. Food & grocery delivery Apps exploded in use. Telehealth was a welcome avenue for many. These and many other technologies introduced to us are here to stay.
2. Knowledge: Our vocabulary expanded to use words most of us may have never used before; words like efficacy and quarantine. And many of us got more knowledgeable of underlying health issues we may have had but previously unknown or ignored. I’m still amazed at the number of people who did “research!” 
3. Approaches: New life was breathed into a work-life balance with more location-free opportunities. Work-from-home used to be a luxury. It is now a necessity in many jobs.
4. Prioritization: Yes. Even what and how we prioritize has been impacted and brought to a new level. Self-care was an indulgence before Covid-19. Many of us have now learned it’s a necessity and needs prioritizing. 

Step 3: Embracing the New Normal

The first two steps are about mental preparation. The final step is to take 360-degree action.

1. Reach upwards and pray for a mind shift to accept your new normal and the courage to step into your future.
2. Reach out to available resources for help. It could be connecting with a mentor. It could also be leveraging your company’s mental health benefits.
3. Reach inward and start writing your vision or mission to create the change you want.
4. Be agile and responsive. Prudently flow with the change to make progress. Take up new resources and drop old ones as needed.
5. Keep moving forward and never go back. Your future success is ahead of you. Not behind.

We will never get back to a pre-pandemic environment. Let’s remove the filters of fear and biases, see the opportunities, and accept them. Once we transform our thinking, we can adopt the mind shift of an empowered leader. 

Empowered Leader Reflection

What mind shift did you make to position yourself for the post-pandemic environment?

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