Recently I read a book called Mindset. This is an excellent book about having a growth versus a fixed mindset. As I read this I have found what can be my biggest struggle as a leader. I want to often stay comfortable and I resist change. I resist getting out of my comfort zone.
One night I saw this played out. I was sitting in the kitchen with my family. At the time we had the opportunity to purchase a “new” car. New in my world means not as old as the one I presently own since I’m not a fan of buying a brand new car. No offense to anyone who is in that industry.
My youngest child had only known our blue Honda Odyssey which had close to 200,000 miles and had a stylish exterior with large flakes of paint chipping off. My son was getting extremely upset as he did NOT want to get rid of the van we’ve had ever since he was born. This van was comfortable, safe and familiar.
Less than a week earlier he had ridden in the “new” van and was excited thinking it was the coolest thing in the world. How quickly we forget our positive experiences.
You would think we told him we were taking away his favorite toy because h was so attached to the car in this moment that he was tearing up and having quite a fit. As I reflected on that moment I saw a child who was tearfully expressing his fear and anxiety about what for him was a traumatic change.
When I observed this drama play out while my amazing wife compassionately listened to my son, a thought came to me. . . . . I am just like my son.
I want to accomplish something of significance in my life. This requires me to change and grow. In order to change and grow I have to leave what is comfortable and safe for something that is new and potentially much better. When it comes to this mindset it can be boiled down to two ways of viewing the world: abundance and scarcity.
Scarcity says that resources are limited and will run out eventually or there are only so many pieces to the pie. A person with this mindset can struggle to give away resources, ideas, credit, or even power. From a leadership perspective this can lead to micromanaging and possibly appearing egocentric.
On the other hand abundance mindset people are comfortable in their own skin and who they are. They do not believe resources are limited. They believe if they give eventually more will come and there is plenty for everybody.
So what does all this have to do with leadership? When we see change on the horizon are we afraid to leave what we know because we don’t think we could possibly end up in a better situation (scarcity thinking)? On the other hand do we see the change as an opportunity to gain more than what we left: more resources, experiences, etc.? As you look at leading at work and home today are you holding on to the past or looking expectantly to the future? Embrace the change, engage in new experiences, surround yourself with other people who will challenge you and grow.
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