One of the most common mistakes we make – as the hard-working delivery-focussed leaders we are – is to keep our heads down and keep ploughing forwards 😑
While this sounds like a good thing (and I am a massive believer in the power of determined action!), there is one big flaw to this approach:
– with our heads down, we can’t see far enough ahead 😵💫
And if you can’t see ahead, you can’t make effective decisions about what is the best thing to be doing when 🤔
Just moving forward is not enough.
To really make an impact as a leader, you have to be moving forward on the most impactful things 🔥💪
And if you struggle with Imposter Syndrome, this is even harder to do
– you are even more likely to be acting on the basis of skewed priorities, privileging other people’s goals over your own 😬
So the only way to work out what these “most impactful things” are is to raise your head up, and look! 😃
The best way I’ve found to do this is through a very simple question:
what outcome do I want from this?
I’ve used this question in three very different scenarios this week with clients, from the short to long-term:
✅ how to resolve a difficult HR issue
✅ how to formulate a year-long strategy document
✅ how to decide on a new career direction.
In each case this question is a powerful starting point – if you know what you want to achieve, you can then go about defining how to get it! 😄💪
But if you haven’t worked this out first, then everything else will be a struggle… 😩
(I’ve found this question can apply to almost everything in life, from what do I want out of this meeting/ project, all the way down to what to make for dinner 😂)
And then, if it’s helpful, you can follow it up with another powerful question:
what levers do I have (or want to create) to help me achieve this outcome?
But the importance of effective levers is a post for another day… 😉
So next time you are approaching a question at work – from the smallest phone call to the largest 5 year strategy, ask yourself this question first!
✴️ What outcome do I want from this? 🤔
Wishing you a positive, productive, and OUTCOME QUESTION-filled not just week, but life & career! 😊🔥💪
with much love 😊🧡
Kirsten xx
