“If we do not bring the necessary challenges to our people, we will not bring the needed changes to our organizations.” – JSP
Leadership is Challenging Both to Ourselves and Our People
Intuitive leaders tend to see the changes coming before others; they’re acutely aware of cultural shifts and emerging trends in the marketplace. Knowing when and how to develop the necessary skills to effectively lead people through the twists and turns in uncertain times is a combination of skill sets, talent, and intuition.
Consistently high achievers are extraordinarily intuitive and tend to have a significantly heightened sense of perception. They not only possess a high level of self-awareness but are acutely aware of what’s happening around them as well. Good leaders have a sixth sense about the urgency to prepare others for what’s ahead.
The Law of Intuition states that “Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias.” Maxwell notes that “Not all people are intuitive in the area of leadership, but every person possesses intuition. Why do I say that? Because people are intuitive in their area of strength.”(1)
Developing and functioning in your strengths will expand your intuitive skills just as they will your people. In our current fast-paced, rapidly changing environment, we must have some sense to anticipate what’s around the corner and know how to prepare our people to meet those challenges.
In his book Leader shift, John C. Maxwell also observes, “The future seems to be coming at us faster than ever. It is not going to slow down. Would anybody seriously consider the idea that tomorrow will be at a slower pace than today? Technology, social media, and the rate of change will never allow that to happen.
To go forward, we need to move faster. And as leaders, we need to stay ahead, we need to see more than others, and we need to see before others…The more nimble, adaptable, and flexible we are, the more quickly we can move and change.”(2)
Challenge Yourself to Be a Change Agent
“If you sharpen your skills today you can be on the cutting edge tomorrow” – JSP
1. Practice Intentional Thinking Intentional thinking is a learned discipline; it’s an invaluable investment in your future. You can develop a love for learning; it’s a choice. Taking some time to create, plan, and develop ideas is empowering because it enables you to shape your future. Anyone who’s benefited from researching subjects they needed to learn already has what’s required to be more inquisitive and intuitive.
2. Ask, and You Will Receive Peter Drucker says, “My greatest strength as a consultant is to be ignorant and ask a few questions.” Having the persistence of a childlike curiosity unlocks the answers to a multitude of questions. Children tend to keep asking questions until they receive a response that satisfies them. Children are honest inquirers, not embarrassed by the vulnerability of ignorance. Ask, and you will receive.
3. Be Willing to Change The difference between inquisitive people and people who believe they cannot change is understanding the power behind asking “why”. The wisdom and knowledge necessary for personal development come to all who passionately pursue them. You must believe in the power of asking “why” and “why not.”
I’m convinced it isn’t a lack of capacity that limits people; it’s the unwillingness to challenge their beliefs about their potential that does. Seeing the world as we are and not as it is, hinders more people than any outward challenges they face.
Do not entertain self-limiting beliefs; choose to challenge the limits of what you believe about yourself. Self-limiting beliefs are counterproductive, and they place a lid on your potential and those you’re leading. Begin challenging yourself by;
Listing your self-limiting beliefs
Finding the roots and rationale for those beliefs (an excellent exercise)
Begin to replace each limiting belief by carefully choosing new ones that align you with actions that empower you to achieve your purpose.
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” – Fred Devito
(1) The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You (p. 87). Kindle Edition. (2) Leadershift 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace, pp 2-3
*** This article was authored by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer at Lions Pride Leadership Co.***