A raft of problems beset Marie. The new boss had thrown the pieces of the organisation jigsaw puzzle into the air. Her position was now in question. Some colleagues had their knives out, competing for resources and attention.
Marie worried a lot and questioned whether she had what it takes to do the job. When she stepped back, she realised she had taken things personally that were not personal. Anyone in her position would face the same challenges. Instead of doubting if she could cope, she asked herself, “How do I powerfully deal with the challenges I face?”
The subtle mindset shift allowed her to respond in a way that made all the difference. Her question prompted her to focus on her vision and aligning her team on their purpose. She persuaded them to focus on outcomes. They produced outstanding results that the clients loved, so much so that her boss acknowledged just how important she was for the business. He offered her a great new role, and she renegotiated her salary package. The internal politics of envy still swirled around her, but it no longer troubled her, knowing that her results spoke volumes.
Leaders cannot control what happens around us, but we can control how to respond. Carol Dweck suggests in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, that people with a fixed mindset will view challenges as obstacles, but those with a growth mindset crave learning and embrace challenges.
“We don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are.”
― Anaïs Nin
We can choose our response when facing the inevitable challenges life throws at us. One way to react is to shift your mindset to embrace the challenges.
🙋 What is the key to dealing with challenges in your experience? 🙋♀️
Best regards, Brian