4 minute read
LEADERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS
WITH GAIL LOWNEY ALOFSIN
CHANGE” IS THE ONLY CONSTANT: 7 STRATEGIES TO LEAD THROUGH CHANGE
In the words of the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, “Change is the only constant.” We are always in a state of movement and growth. Do you remember traditional telephones with a landline? Pagers, Palm Pilots, Blackberry’s? Imagine where we would be today without our mobile phones!
The idea of change can incite a great deal of emotion. Your leadership prowess will assist you in applying a positive mindset towards the changes in your life – both personal and professional. Whether you are the CEO or an entry-level employee, YOUR ability to adapt and LEAD through change will make a significant difference in the success of your business.
As you navigate the four stages of change – Shock, Fear, Acceptance and Transformation - these 7 leadership strategies will assist!
Show Up. The first step to effective leadership is to show up. Be present. It is essential to show up both physically and mentally for your team. Your team members look to you for guidance and reassurance in times of uncertainty. A leader that is visibly present and available demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting a team through the challenges they face. It could be as simple as attending meetings, checking in with team members, or being there to listen.
Adapt. Embrace change versus resist it. Change is as an opportunity for growth and innovation. Be flexible and willing to adjust your strategies as needed. Encourage your team members to adapt and provide them with the support and resources they need to be successful. Showcase YOUR resilience.
Positivity. Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial for effective leadership and business in general. YOUR attitude sets the tone for your team. Focus on the opportunities that change can bring. Celebrate small wins and encourage your team members to appreciate everything. Avoid negativity bias where the sole focus is on the negative. “We’ve always done it this way” are words to “bless and release.” Change will bring new skills and opportunities. Embrace the concept of “Kaizen” – continuous improvement.
Communication. Be available for your team. Being clear, concise and transparent about the changes will make all the difference in how the change is embraced. Information is appreciated when it is timely, accurate and shared. Communication removes uncertainty and moves teams forward. Listen actively to the concerns of your team in addition to their feedback and ideas.
Relationships: Take the time to get to know your team members on a personal level and understand their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. People are not robots. Show empathy and be supportive of both professional and personal growth. We all want to be led by someone we can count on to be there for us.
Kintsugi: Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer, emphasizing the beauty of imperfection and the value of resilience. As a leader, kintsugi is relevant through acknowledging and celebrating both your own and your team’s imperfections and failures. View mistakes as opportunities of learning and growth. Encourage a culture of that embraces mistakes. Our mistakes become our own personal gold, decorating the broken or challenged chapters of our life. Resilience will be YOUR “Super Power.”
Take 5: Ask Yourself: Will this matter in five years, five months, five weeks, five days, or even five hours? This perspective will allow you to prioritize the opportunity in front of you. With long term perspectives, you will focus your efforts on what truly matters. Don’t panic about the little things - channel your energy into addressing the most critical issues at hand and let go of what no longer serves you – personally and professionally.
Leadership is a mindset. Change, as the only constant, is not going away anytime soon! These seven strategies will offer the opportunity to lead through any obstacle or new endeavor. As a leader, you do not have all the answers. What you DO is the opportunity to positively influence your colleagues and stakeholders through YOUR humility, intelligence and grace.
Gail Lowney Alofsin is the President of Leadership at ALL Levels, an educational and inspirational keynote and training company. She has worked in the events industry for over three decades and currently serves as the Director of Corporate Partnership and Community Relations for the Newport International Boat Show in Newport, Rhode Island. A Director on 5 boards focused on food insecurity, education and business, Gail has served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Rhode Island for over 25 years – experiencing a great deal of change! She can be reached at: gail@gailspeaks.com or 401-640-4418.
