All leaders get stuck. I know this because I’ve interviewed over 100 leaders in 35 cities and 12 countries about their experiences with being stuck. Through these conversations, I learned that those who were most successful at getting and staying unstuck did so by entering what I call anWhen we’re in an expansive state, we’re grounded in core values, but open to new ideas, situations and people. From here, we experience heightened creativity and energy. In other words, we’re decidedly unstuck.
The next time you feel afraid, rather than thinking, “I’m afraid”, simply tell yourself, “there is fear”. This creates space between you and your emotions. Now you can differentiate. Is there a tiger? Or is it just a feeling?Expansive leaders are guided by highly developed values systems. They don’t allow these values to be imposed upon them by outside forces, but instead do the emotional work required to arrive at the qualities of life and character that are core to who they are as people.
Think of a situation where you’re currently stuck. What are you clinging to? Can you trade control for enablement? Opaqueness for transparency? Ego for curiosity? Old ways and ideas for new ones?Expansive leaders understand that in our complex, connected world, the best innovation happens not because of a decree from the top, but because of the interconnectedness of people and ideas.