Why does the main motivating factor in committing to change have to be pain? Why is it that until I'm really uncomfortable I don't commit to change? This is a widespread negative self-destructive tendency. What if we could change before pain? What does it take to let go sooner? How can I identify when something about my leadership behavior isn't working?
Leaders must challenge themselves to confront their own resistance to change.
A leader must have strategies for practicing self-awareness.
I meditate for self-awareness because meditation makes me acutely sensitive to minor aches, and this awareness brings insight. I slow down, listen to my inner wisdom, and get honest. When I'm paying attention to my thoughts and feelings, when I'm tuned in, I can spot the pain of a destructive leadership pattern early on, when it's only a mild ache. Then I've got a shot at dealing effectively with what I need to change before the ache becomes a throbbing pain.
The art of leadership is knowing when to push or when to let go. There are times when as a leader I need to keep on course even though everyone wants to stop and go back the "safety zone" of familiarity - with a project, product or customer. There are also those times when I need to get honest and change course realizing it isn't working and change of action is needed. Practicing self-awareness, and the discipline of being willing to confront my resistance and commit to change before pain helps me make these significant differentiations.
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