STOP SETTLING, it’s never too late to activate your full potential and get BIGGER results
‘I know I am capable of more, but it’s like it’s trapped inside and not coming out’, is a repeated statement I hear from a lot of leaders. Firstly, let it be said – these are not leaders who are underachieving. They have climbed the ranks at an accelerated rate moving into Partner and Executive roles at hugely acclaimed companies, and are, by all accounts, knocking it out the park career wise.
However like many who have led their teams through the changes of the last 5 months, not only has it been testing, but it has rattled perspectives, shaking them into something new. Leaders I speak with discuss the challenging balance of work/life, the fast-paced, high pressure business demands, team dynamics and how this has increased the feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction; in the role they’re doing and how they’re doing it.
What this ultimately boils down to is… potential. Navigating what you need to do so that you feel like you’re achieving what you want to be achieving in your leadership, is more vital than ever. Here I will argue that for many leaders right now, it’s make or break.
It’s so much more than leadership skills
If you attended my future-fit masterclasses – you’ll know that a huge challenge facing business leaders over the next ten years is remaining on the pulse of innovation. The fact that 85% of roles in the industry that people will be doing in 2030 have yet to be created according to Dell, in partnership with the Institute for the Future, sets the scene. Courses for upskilling yourself are huge right now; no surprises there. But here I am going to go against the grain, controversially perhaps, with a new call to arms.
Leaders, hold back investing in your skillset at the moment. Yes, your business needs new strategies and expanding your understanding of what those are and how they will help you hit your targets are important. I am just asking you to put a pause on those plans or conversations momentarily. They’re important, but there are more pressing things that you’re facing. Until we focus on how to address the feelings of inadequacy or the lack of confidence and conviction, even the slickest new skills are not going to stick. Leaders will get left behind, not because they don’t have the skills the business needs, but because their own inner world is holding them back.
Stop being frustrated and learn how to achieve more
Instead right now leaders need to pause, breathe and focus on the deeper reasons why they are feeling unfulfilled or inadequate. Where are these feelings coming from? It’s striking that even the most confident leaders I work with, who originally came to me so I could help them tighten up their business and operational processes, are now finding that their foundations are shaken.
This is not surprising, given the year that we’ve faced, it is a natural outcome. What it means though is that it’s having a knock-on effect. Leaders are stopping themselves from advancing in their careers and reaching the roles and earnings they want.
When you feel like there’s more in you but you just can’t get to it, not only is it massively frustrating, but it’s a self fulfilling prophecy. The discord is going to hold you back and stop you from thinking innovatively, from leading boldly and from landing your next role. You must learn how to use the voice that is telling you that you can do more and achieve more, and do exactly that.
Your Potential
Leadership coaches like myself refer to potential a lot, and for lots of people the concept of potential can feel totally intangible (often because it is!). We can write about it poetically, a fire in the belly, an internal restlessness; but what does it actually mean and how can you make sure you’re aligned with yours.
My view of activating your potential is being connected to all of you and feeling completely centred and certain in who you are and what you stand for. The transformation that took place for me was knowing I could handle anything that came my way. I felt so whole and free in my thinking that I could embrace challenges with confidence, conviction and courage. And at the same time enjoy the moment, as I was bringing all of me to the table and allowing myself to shine brighter than I ever did before.
It’s fully liberating and the progress you can make in your life accelerates tenfold.
If any of this strikes a chord with you, here are a few things you can do today to start activating your potential:
1.Understand you are not your mind, your mind is a tool you use to take you where you want to go
2.Notice your thoughts and how many are helping you vs keeping you stuck. Try and work out what the limits are that you are choosing to put on yourself – these limits are beliefs you have decided to have about yourself. Beliefs are not real and you have the ability to change them to achieve your goals
3.Raise your standards – if you haven’t read my article on standards then do so now. I deep dive into why raising your standards is essential for increasing your potential
Do the work. It is your greatest shortcut
Personal development work is something that so often gets funnelled into the ‘I’ll get to it when I’ve ticked off all these other things’ list. Unsurprisingly, it rarely gets much air time. But really, this is the area that holds the key to career progression. It always amazes me that leaders don’t invest more time in it – but also, I totally get it. I ignored this work for 15 years, and chose to feel frustrated, doubting my ability and my decisions, envisioning a version of myself as a leader that was always out of reach.
Feeling disconnected from where you want to be or where you believe you should be, only grows. The path that leads to your success is actually much clearer, and it’s already waiting in the wings to make an appearance. You just need to figure out how to remove all the obstacles that you’ve built up over the time that are now blocking your way. Doing this is your quickest route to achieving the results you want.
I am obsessed with this topic. ‘Transformational results’ is bandied around left, right and centre at the moment – but helping leaders discover the model to activate their potential is an area that really delivers on this.
If any of this resonates with you, I’d be delighted to hear from you. I offer a FREE 30 minute discovery call and you can book yours here.
