In our daily existence, we are constantly on a trip-going from one place to another. It is true when we are faced with a situation threatening our survival or an unprecedented opportunity to thrive. Unfortunately, for most of us, our journey is a needed activity and we view it as obligatory and forced. We thus make our journey a monotonous routine and deprive ourselves of the blissful experience and enjoyment which we really deserve. This happens as large majority of us do not understand that our perceptual view of our journey has a powerful influence on our enjoyment (or lack of it) and our accomplishment (or lack of it) received from our journey. The variety of that perceptual view and its consequential impact on our focus during the journey is outlined below.
If the journey is viewed as an unavoidable necessity or a forced trip, our mind will focus only on compliance. In this mode we will do only what someone is asking us to day. There will be no initiative or interest from our side. We will be impatiently waiting when this dreaded journey is going to end. This will lead to sub-optimal results and broken spirits.
If the journey is viewed as a learning opportunity, our mind will stimulate our interest. In this mode, we will be excited to learn and add to our skill-set. We will be more inquisitive and more participative. This will lead to improved results and increased self-esteem.
If the journey is viewed as an Essential Mission, our mind will demand commitment. Since commitment is an integral blend of desire,determination and discipline, we will treat the task at hand as urgent, necessary and worth perusing. Our interest will quickly change into a keen desire to get involved, demonstrate a winning attitude and act to contribute. This will lead to the desired and consistent results.
If the journey is viewed as an Adventurous Quest for a meaningful purpose, our mind will unleash the power of our inspiration. Unlike commitment which is reflective of our mindful acceptance of the cause(goal), inspiration encompasses both mindful acceptance of the cause as well as a passionate dedication to the cause. Whereas the mindful acceptance makes us to embrace the cause logically, the passionate dedication makes us a true believer in the worthiness of the cause. In other words, the inspiring view get its full power from both mind and the heart. The net result is thrilling and lasting success.
In my professional career of over 40 years in turning around many struggling organizations in many countries, I have universally seen the lack of this basic understanding in the operating modes of most leaders. Whenever they were preparing their teams to face critical situations or unprecedented opportunities, their starting emphasis was always on the methodology, milestones and measurements . By doing so, they made others(as well as themselves) to perceive their problems/opportunities as a critical must-do. Since perceptions shape realities, the net result was- a mindset of compliance, dependence and fear for their team members.
Whereas methodology, milestones and measurements are extremely important for any journey of achievement and they have their place in the execution stage of the journey, what is required in the earliest stage of the journey is to make the participants of the journey perceive the worthiness of the task at hand. This is here where the true leadership skills are put to a test. How effective the leader is in forging the right perceptions at the very start will shape the realities (results) of the efforts.
Making leaders understand this simple truth and educating them to develop skills to forge inspiring perceptions in their teams has been the most thrilling experience of my professional life. Not only it made my job of turning around organizations easier, but it also made a meaningful difference in the lives of many.
For more information on the journey of excellence leading to a rewarding and lasting self-sufficiency. please read my book "Organizational Turnarounds with a Human Touch" available at Trafford Publishing. Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble and other retailers.
For any clarification or additional information, please contact me at seekri5@comcast.net
