Flipping the game

How do you work with the cards you are dealt, if they look like a losing hand, especially if that's against a backdrop of stress?

Do you feel defeated, ready to give up? Resentful? Frustrated? Angry? Overwhelmed? Exhausted?

If so, what's the impact of that on your leadership, and the people and processes you manage?

In the last couple of days, I've experienced two powerful, quick-to-access perspectives that align with my Heartfull Leadership™ approach and can help you to become present, resourceful and optimistic, with just a few moments reflection:

Fun.

I had a coaching session with a director who is committed to bringing fun to his leadership but, right now, he's stuck in the quagmire of pushing to meet large and looming deadlines.

The result is that it's all push, no fun for anyone; he's not showing up in a way he's happy with, and it feels like hard and unfulfilling work, even though he cares deeply about the company, his team and the outcomes.

We took time to look at what he was saying yes to, in place of fun.

Turns out, it's the hustle, push, stress and pressure for everyone to meet unrealistic deadlines (set by him, I might add).

When he brought his Heartfull Leadership™ commitment to fun back into the frame, it opened up fresh perspectives, opportunities and a different way of leading for him.

One that honours and motivates his team, himself and their connection, and actually increases their chances of reaching their goal.

2. Gratitude

I had a biopsy. I'm not overly concerned at the moment (largely because my consultant isn't), but it wasn't a particularly pleasant procedure.

As I lay on the table, I was practicing my mindful breathing, but was still very distracted by the pain and what was going on and could feel some anxiety and distress rising in me.

So, I gave my brain something else to focus on: gratitude.

⭐️Thankfulness that I have access to a consultant.

⭐️Thankfulness that this would be an early intervention, whatever the results.

⭐️Thankfulness that I was in the hands of a specialist.

⭐️Thankfulness that he and his nurse were taking great care with me, and doing their best.

Before I knew it, the words 'thank you' were involuntarily coming out of my mouth (while he was still mid-procedure), and I noticed that I genuinely felt it and that my negative thoughts and fear had dissipated.

👉 My invitation to you this week is to play with Fun and Gratitude in moments of stress - not to deny your reality - but to explore what you could be missing or experiencing with another perspective.