Leadership in the Midst of Change
"When we commit to a vision to do something that has never been done before, there is no way to know how to get there. We simply have to build the bridge as we walk on it."
(Building the Bridge as You Walk on It: A Guide for Leading Change by Robert E. Quinn, 2004)
CHANGE is a never ending experience for us. Leaders are not afraid of change even when there is uncertainty. They recognize that change transforms organizations in what people do and how they relate to each other and their customers. How leaders recognize transformational change and their willingness to lead even in the midst of uncertainty will be greater than ever in our economy and world.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What are you facing that you've not faced before, either as a business owner, Executive Director of a nonprofit, or leader in your organization?
- Are leaders not recognizing change that is on the horizon because of fear or uncertainity?
- Are leaders willing to let go of their "anchors of stability" to lead effectively in the midst of change?
- Are leaders able to pause, to breathe and slow down reaction long enough to allow a different, more powerful action and mindfulness?
Resources
We use two resources to help leaders build that bridge and pause, to enter the uncertainty that change brings, to lead effectively both from the head and heart.
Building the Bridge as You Walk on It: A Guide for Leading Change by Robert E. Quinn, 2004. Leaders are invited into what Quinn calls the "The Fundamental State of Leadership." To not do so, is to refuse to change "while the universe changes around us, is ultimately to choose slow death." We engage leaders in The Fundamental State of Leadership to situations they are facing, to assist them to be purpose-centered, internally directed, let go of their egos, and move outside of their comfort zones. Please clink on this link to view The Fundamental State of Leadership.
Pause: 52 Ways to Shift Any Outcome in Less Than a Minute - Practical Mindfulness For Leaders by Jennifer Sellers, Sheri Boone & Kate Harper, 2011. The three authors gathered several years of experience in working with leaders and identified powerful practices for leaders. "Each practice creates a pause, uncovering a new perspective that can transform any situation and produce positive outcomes for you and your organization." We engage leaders to identify practices they can "pause" to be more purposeful and mindful in leading others.
Read about what Mirabai Bush, co-founder at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, says about pausing techniques in organizations. Listen to Mirabai Bush on YouTube as she talks about mindfulness.