The Modern Leadership Issue - 8

a recent reflection from my leadership journey
For several years, I had been leading across multiple places in and for TiER1-I held
a few internal roles, in addition to client leadership roles with two enterprise
clients. Midyear, as part of a larger organizational restructuring, I was asked to
make a choice that would focus my energy on fewer areas that were more
aligned around one key client. My initial reaction was that I was being
asked to give up things that brought me great joy and personal
satisfaction. And the impacts of the restructuring were being felt
by many around me too. As a sidenote, I had also recently
been promoted. During the acknowledgement from senior
leadership, I was commended for the impact I was
having in so many areas. So, my initial reaction to
the ask was not, " Sure, let's go! " , but rather,
" Why? Let me keep doing what I'm doing
that's clearly been positive! "
I'm not going to lie-I swirled a bit. My cheese had been moved, and I knew I needed
to find new cheese if I was going to find a way through this3
. (I also know I am a
creature of habit and am more resistant to change than an early change adopter.)
With self-awareness, I was able to own and share the impact the shift was having
on me. I sought perspective (and lots of it) from several trusted advisors in my
circle. Maybe at first to commiserate and get some validation for my feelings, but
always with the awareness that I needed to find my way through what I was
processing. I considered what those who look to me as a leader needed from me. If
I showed up with negativity or resistance, I understood the effect that would have
on others around me. I took time to reflect on what the organization needed of me,
and how that was changing. In the end, I was able to reframe my thinking: What I
had done was no longer the role in which I could add the most value. It was what I
could do in the future (albeit differently) that would have the biggest impact.
While it took some time, I am on the other side
of the transition. I knew I would not be able to effectively lead on
any other level if I didn't spend time focused inwardly to lead myself
through the change I was being asked to make. From this view, I
now see how leading myself was crucial for finding a path through
the situation so I could continue to lead others and the organization.
3 Referencing the bestselling book, Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson
The Modern Leadership Issue

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Modern Leadership Issue
