Take this: You are amazing.
You are already well underway to create massive change in the world - whether it is through a business, a not-for-profit, or a simple neighbourhood initiative.
Maybe you’re running one of the first true, no greenwash, trail-blazing eco businesses in your market, but are finding it hard to compete (which you don’t even really want to do, because it’s against your personal values)
Maybe you are working in government or local government, you are driven by passion for creating a better system, but keep hitting the glass ceiling. Or politics.
Maybe you are a veteran of activism and battling with cynisim and burn-out.
Or maybe you are creating a wonderful model of systemic change but are being overwhelmed with managing growth, people - and wondering how to scale.
Leadership in a new paradigm is tricky business. You might be working with leaderless organisations. Experimental structures. Limited funding. And have to innovate everything you do.
Because you’re a pioneer of the great undoing, there is no textbook for you. You enroll in a business course and it’s based on outdoing the competition (not your thing) and the need for ongoing growth (which, as you know, is over). You sign up for a management programme and it’s based on top-down leadership styles and outdated business structures. Where to go?
All the while, you have to navigate the balance between staying in business / staying in your role and saving the world.
And you are human, too. You wake up with a head full of questions, doubts and tough decisions to make.
Here’s what you can do to leverage your impact:
Step #1: Go back to basics: Master your mindset
Create a strict routine for every day - or every week - that keeps your ‘monkey mind’ on track. Learn and PRACTICE self care. Cultivate abundance in your own life - because struggle is incredibly unattractive (and you want to get people to change, right?)
Step #2: Learn to communicate and influence in a good way
Learn the skills to influence other people positively by understanding their deeper motivations and addressing their needs, gaining rapport and reducing their defences. Learn to have difficult conversations, convincing conversations and win support. Thinking that is manipulative? - No. Because collaboration, even under the most oppositional of circumstances, is the only thing that is going to turn this ship around. Learning to work together effectively, and harnessing the power of unifying people for a cause, is a game changer.
Step #3: Invest in yourself
As a new paradigm leader, you have to walk the talk. You need to clean up your own act to lead by radical example. And you want to fine-tune your people management skills so that you can support your team in the most positive way, and vice versa. You have to be top of your game with new paradigm ways of doing things. Which meas, invest in yourself - the last thing those on a mission want to do, I know - because it’s all about the cause, right?
No.. Because the more skilled you become at innovative ways of doing things, the more you’re going to serve the cause. In fact, by putting yourself last, you’re probably standing in the way of the best possible outcome of what you are pursuing. So, learn from the best, no matter the cost. Find mentors, coaches, supporters - so that you can serve to your best capacity.
Step #4: Become visible
In my life, I have come across so many people with great solutions. Human ingenuity, creativity and innovation is endless - but what is the point if neither your criticism, nor your solutions are heard? With a caring, understanding heart often comes modesty. Or being an introvert. The thing is, in a noisy, flashy, fast moving world, it takes effort to be seen. And while you don’t have to be loud to be visible, developing a strong sense of identity - and unashamedly living it, is incredibly powerful. To become visible, you have to be like Moses, parting the seas - you’ll find the tribe of people who love what you have to say - and you will encounter those who don’t. Learn to embrace both of them, but don’t shy away.
Woah, there is actually a lot in all of this - and I know it can be overwhelming. If you are thinking you want to dive deeper into any of these areas - I would LOVE to support you. I love working with changemakers and helping them increase the impact they can have on the world.
Maybe you’re running one of the first true, no greenwash, trail-blazing eco businesses in your market, but are finding it hard to compete (which you don’t even really want to do, because it’s against your personal values)
Maybe you are working in government or local government, you are driven by passion for creating a better system, but keep hitting the glass ceiling. Or politics.
Maybe you are a veteran of activism and battling with cynisim and burn-out.
Or maybe you are creating a wonderful model of systemic change but are being overwhelmed with managing growth, people - and wondering how to scale.
Leadership in a new paradigm is tricky business. You might be working with leaderless organisations. Experimental structures. Limited funding. And have to innovate everything you do.
Because you’re a pioneer of the great undoing, there is no textbook for you. You enroll in a business course and it’s based on outdoing the competition (not your thing) and the need for ongoing growth (which, as you know, is over). You sign up for a management programme and it’s based on top-down leadership styles and outdated business structures. Where to go?
All the while, you have to navigate the balance between staying in business / staying in your role and saving the world.
And you are human, too. You wake up with a head full of questions, doubts and tough decisions to make.
Here’s what you can do to leverage your impact:
Step #1: Go back to basics: Master your mindset
Create a strict routine for every day - or every week - that keeps your ‘monkey mind’ on track. Learn and PRACTICE self care. Cultivate abundance in your own life - because struggle is incredibly unattractive (and you want to get people to change, right?)
Step #2: Learn to communicate and influence in a good way
Learn the skills to influence other people positively by understanding their deeper motivations and addressing their needs, gaining rapport and reducing their defences. Learn to have difficult conversations, convincing conversations and win support. Thinking that is manipulative? - No. Because collaboration, even under the most oppositional of circumstances, is the only thing that is going to turn this ship around. Learning to work together effectively, and harnessing the power of unifying people for a cause, is a game changer.
Step #3: Invest in yourself
As a new paradigm leader, you have to walk the talk. You need to clean up your own act to lead by radical example. And you want to fine-tune your people management skills so that you can support your team in the most positive way, and vice versa. You have to be top of your game with new paradigm ways of doing things. Which meas, invest in yourself - the last thing those on a mission want to do, I know - because it’s all about the cause, right?
No.. Because the more skilled you become at innovative ways of doing things, the more you’re going to serve the cause. In fact, by putting yourself last, you’re probably standing in the way of the best possible outcome of what you are pursuing. So, learn from the best, no matter the cost. Find mentors, coaches, supporters - so that you can serve to your best capacity.
Step #4: Become visible
In my life, I have come across so many people with great solutions. Human ingenuity, creativity and innovation is endless - but what is the point if neither your criticism, nor your solutions are heard? With a caring, understanding heart often comes modesty. Or being an introvert. The thing is, in a noisy, flashy, fast moving world, it takes effort to be seen. And while you don’t have to be loud to be visible, developing a strong sense of identity - and unashamedly living it, is incredibly powerful. To become visible, you have to be like Moses, parting the seas - you’ll find the tribe of people who love what you have to say - and you will encounter those who don’t. Learn to embrace both of them, but don’t shy away.
Woah, there is actually a lot in all of this - and I know it can be overwhelming. If you are thinking you want to dive deeper into any of these areas - I would LOVE to support you. I love working with changemakers and helping them increase the impact they can have on the world.
