Last week a client asked, "How do I fix my leadership mindset? I really feel it's getting in my way."
Poppycock.
I think we spend too much time worrying about our mindset.
Mindset comprises the inner voice. Not sure about you, but oftentimes my inner voice is rubbish. It is full of self doubt and unhelpful commentary. Trying to fix it is a losing battle.
Tuning out the inner voice is a leadership strength
If I paid attention to my inner voice, this is what I would have heeded:
You suck at … (business, book writing, being a friend, cooking, sticking to a diet)
Your book/speaking/coaching/training/facilitating/mentoring is nowhere as good as …
You have no idea what you’re doing, get a job now.
You're better than everyone, don't you know that yet?
You’re much smarter/savvier/prolific than xxx - why aren’t you more successful by now?
You’re not a very nice person.
Seriously, the inner voice is an asshole.
Your leadership mindset needs action not insults!
Mindset is a habit of mind. It’s a practiced viewpoint that comes after repeated ACTION.
Here's what I suggest:
Know what your purpose and outcome is.
Pursue that relentlessly, regardless of your inner voice.
Design your environment so that making choices towards that end goal is easy or automatic.
Keep taking action.
The inner voice, your friendly inner 'gremlin', will have lots to say along the way. Give it a smile and keep going.
Are you trying to fix your mindset? What regular daily action could you commit to instead?
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Excellence is a daily commitment - with Dan Collins
Mindset and training secrets with Enduroman athlete, Laura Marshall
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About the author, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Canberra based leadership expert, Zoe Routh, shares a leadership mindset that is overrated.
Zoë Routh is one of Australia’s leading experts on people stuff - the stuff that gets in our way of producing results, and the stuff that lights us up. She works with the growers, makers, builders to make people stuff fun and practical.
Zoë is the author of four books: Composure - How centered leaders make the biggest impact, Moments - Leadership when it matters most, Loyalty - Stop unwanted staff turnover, boost engagement, and build lifelong advocates, and People Stuff - Beyond Personalities: An advanced handbook for leadership. People Stuff was awarded Book of the Year 2020 by the Smart WFM Australian Business Book Awards.
Zoë is also the producer of The Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast.