In the realm of effective leadership, resilience is not merely a characteristic but an embodiment of several interwoven traits. Highly resilient leaders exhibit a tapestry of qualities that enable them to navigate challenges, embrace change, and inspire others amid adversity.
They don't merely cope; they thrive. These leaders embody a distinctive set of self-leadership habits that fuel their resilience. From a steadfast commitment to living in awareness to practicing acceptance, embracing a growth mindset, exercising self-accountability, and exuding unwavering confidence, these habits are the cornerstone of their success.
Let's delve into the defining traits that characterize these leaders and understand how these self-leadership habits shape their ability to weather storms and emerge stronger than ever.
They live in a state of awareness.
They practice acceptance of self, of others of circumstances because this allows them to move quickly and take less personally.
Operate from a growth mindset.
They are self-accountable because they know no one is coming to get them out of bed and into action.
They exude confidence
Self-Leadership Habit #1 Live in Awareness
To be a highly resilient leader, you must be completely aware of what Is happening around and within you at every moment. When you are, you have the ability to make a conscious choice to either continue doing what you are doing or try something different. When you are aware, you have the choice to respond differently and to create a different outcome.
Awareness of reality – One way to think of awareness is that it is the ability to know what is and discern what is actually happening from your mind’s interpretation of what is happening. It’s about being present vs. seeing the situation from the past. When we come up with stories and devise explanations to explain what’s happening, we create what is true for us; we see as we interpret through our unique filters. You make interpretations all day long. When you are aware of what is truly happening, as opposed to what you think or believe is happening, you create the ability to make conscious decisions.
Awareness of the presence of others – the energy and influence of those around you. We all have that one relative or friend who drains our energy.
Awareness of choices and options – when we operate on autopilot, it is difficult to remember that we have choices and that there are other options for ourselves. Operating from a place of awareness and proactiveness enables us always to see the possibilities.
Self-awareness - The power of thought - Our thinking and our moods are connected...In fact, our thoughts determine our behaviors and where we are in the mood elevator. Higher-quality thinking comes from higher states in the mood elevator.
Thinking = feelings = behaviors = action = determine your results
When you can gain insights into what influences your thoughts and feelings, you can decide what you want to change or not—knowing that you can decide where in the mood elevator you want to be when trying to create positive results is powerful.
Here’s a best practice to help you become more self-aware about factors impacting your life. Reflecting on your day, feelings, and emotions can bring powerful insight into your tendencies.
Do a journaling exercise each evening for the next 14 days. (it takes 14 days to form a habit) Ask yourself:
What might be a sign that you lost awareness during your day?
When do you feel pressure?
What effect does pressure have on you?
What helps you show up at your best?
Self-Leadership Habit #2 Practice Acceptance
When you fully practice acceptance of yourself, of others, and of situations, you are less judgmental, take less personally, and accept that you are always doing the best you can. Therefore, you can move quickly from facing a problem to seeing an opportunity.
We are always doing our best – Most of us are very critical of ourselves, believing that we could or should be doing things differently or better, often beating ourselves up over past mistakes. Understanding that you did your best under the circumstances is crucial to learning and moving on vs. staying stuck.
Don’t take it personally – Things don’t happen to us; they happen. When we are focused on the perceived personal assault or injustice, we often create our own suffering, and while pain is inevitable in life, suffering is most definitely optional.
Releasing expectations – when we accept things as they are, we realize that life is an endless series of events and opportunities that help us experience, learn, and grow. Releasing the expectations and attachment to any particular outcome allows us to find opportunities everywhere. These experiences help shape who we are, and all have a purpose. We might prefer the positive ones but grow more from the painful ones.
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Reinhold Niebuhr
Self-Leadership Habit #3 Operate from a Growth mindset
It is the passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even when it's not going well.
This is the type of mindset that allows people to thrive during some challenging times in their lives.
To develop a growth mindset:
See things from a new perspective. It's about what is possible to Move from a judge-and-be-judged perspective to a learn-and-help-learn point of view.
Take informed risks and learn from the results, and make decisions from a place of possibility vs. fear.
Your tribe - Surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow, support your ideas and dreams, and hold you accountable to do what you set out to do.
Self-Leadership Habit #4 Exercise Self-Accountability
Create an intentional roadmap - Set your plan and work the plan; stay away from shiny object syndrome. Show up for you!
Learn, Reflect, adjust, and move on – Be open to adjusting your plan as you learn, but don’t get stuck. You got to pull yourself out and get going!
Know your tendencies/create backups – Have your go-to strategies ready when you fall back into your old tendencies.
Self-Leadership Habit #5 Exude Confidence
What is confidence?
By definition:
A feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something.
“How you do anything is how you do everything.”
How to build confidence:
Dive into Authenticity: Embrace your uniqueness! Your authenticity is your power. Let your true self shine because there's no one else like you.
Hone Your Expertise: Become a master in your field. Knowledge breeds confidence. Keep learning, growing, and becoming the expert you aspire to be.
Practice Makes Perfect: Confidence comes with repetition. Keep practicing, whether it's a skill, a presentation, or a hobby. Each step forward boosts your self-assurance.
Stress Less, Confidence More: Reduce stress to fuel your confidence. Prioritize self-care, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. A calm mind breeds unwavering confidence.
Own Your Gifts: Recognize and embrace your strengths. Celebrate what makes you unique. Your gifts are your superpowers—let them shine brightly!
Believe in Yourself: Trust your abilities and believe in your potential. Self-belief is the foundation of unwavering confidence.
In the leadership journey, resilience isn't just a trait; it's an ongoing commitment to self-leadership. The habits we discussed—living in awareness, practicing acceptance, fostering a growth mindset, embracing self-accountability, and exuding unwavering confidence—are not isolated actions; they intertwine to form a robust framework.
As Scott Belsky aptly said, 'Self-leadership is about awareness, tolerance, and not letting your own natural tendencies limit your potential.' To truly lead with resilience, one must continuously cultivate these habits, nurturing them like seeds that grow into mighty trees, providing shelter and strength in the face of storms.
Remember, your leadership journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace these habits, let them become your guiding stars, and watch as they illuminate the path to resilient leadership.
May these habits empower you to weather challenges and thrive, inspiring those around you and leaving an indelible mark on the world. Keep leading, keep growing, and keep shining your resilient light.
With Love,
Gina