I enjoy watching Formula One. There is something about the speed, the risks, the engineering feats and the importance of the whole team that makes this one sport I genuinely make time to follow. As a coach I find myself observing the mental and physical strengths of the drivers, trying to work out what separates the world champion from the best of the rest who have arguably also made it to the top of their field.
As Lewis Hamilton drove to victory at the Turkish Grand Prix recently, winning the race, and matching Michael Schumacher's record of seven World Championships, his post race interview really struck me. "Speak it into existence, you've got to work for it, you've got to chase it. Never give up and never doubt yourself", Hamilton said, speaking to Sky Sports. He went on to say "don't listen to anyone who tells you can't achieve something."
At some point in our lives, many of us will have had the same experience as Lewis Hamilton and been told we can't achieve much. The risk is we allow these situations to define us and our behaviours, and pass on those limiting factors to those close to us personally and professionally.
The #Growth Mindset
The good news is we can choose - whether to live our lives with a #growth mindset guiding us, or whether we contain ourselves within a fixed one. That means having a fundamental belief either that a mindset is fixed and intelligence is static, or that a mindset grows, and intelligence can be developed over time. For more on this click through to Carol S Dweck, Ph.D, Stanford University, who spent 20 years researching this area, and believes the mindset one adopts profoundly affects the way one lives his/her life.
The other factor affecting our mental and physical selves right now is the pandemic and dealing with an extended period of change, stress, uncertainty and restriction. We are all using more of our inbuilt natural resources to understand, adapt, keep going, run our businesses, our homes, and protect jobs and income if we can. That means the amount of inner fuel we are using this year has increased, with a sense that many of us are feeling depleted, some running on empty.
If these thoughts strike home, or you see friends and colleagues who are struggling, or exhibiting signs of running on empty, remember the choice and think about how the #growth mindset can help you and those that you lead and develop.
Coaching Trends
In coaching circles, there is a trend toward programmes that cater for the whole self - which combine data science, wearable devices such heart monitors, with classic coaching sessions, which when combined, can sharpen our understanding of what goes on in our daily working lives and the impact of others, situations and relationships have on us and our ability to function in good times and in bad. These are really interesting developments and accessible to those with reasonable budgets for these cutting edge coaching solutions, and arguably a good match for those with a love of data and science. There are other simpler, practical approaches as well, accessible for all, which you can action tomorrow.
Talk A Walk
For example there is a move toward no cost, practical ways to take care of our physical and mental wellbeing, and that of others. For example, some business associates of mine are in partnership and their preferred way to work through new business is to be outside, walking or running, rather than meeting in the office or hosting a video call. They report double benefits in this approach - they fix the issue and they look after themselves, by getting fresh air and exercise. And in times pre-Covid, they regularly hosted walks with groups of clients, a brilliant way of building relationships and discussing topics of common interest, whilst getting a free dose of Vitamin D. Aside from understanding lockdown rules (and from next week your local tier rules) it is still possible in some parts of the UK to meet for essential business purposes, so why not think outside the norm and decide if some kind of outdoor activity will work for your next business discussion?
A Chief Executive that I know well is sick to death of being on back to back video calls Monday to Friday, a reality of working from home for many of us. She needed some coaching to work through immediate business issues and linked in with her coach and mentor, and agreed a two hour walk in the rain, water proofs on, and later that day reported she felt refreshed and had "she walked herself into clarity." Powerful words and like those of Lewis Hamilton after his record breaking win, they had a lasting impact on me.
Coach In the Moment
Another idea that seems perfect for these times is seeing coaching as something you do in the moment. If you have them, you use your coaching skills and weave them into any conversation, with anyone who needs support, who is stuck, is struggling, or solving a problem or coming up with solutions, and you recognise you can assist. Don't wait for formal coaching sessions to appear in the diary. If you spot the potential to help someone gain an insight that day, do it. Make informal and quick coaching a part of your everyday business life.
Support #Mental Health
If you are a business owner or leader, the chances are you have a team to look after, and an understanding that the events of 2020 have been life changing for everyone. Here are a few ideas that my clients have shared with me and where they are investing more of their time and energy this year:
Support your team by providing a safe and encouraging environment, whether you need people to work from home or come into the workplace. Communicate regularly and transparently about the steps taken to ensure health and wellbeing, and keep people safe
Brief your team leaders or senior colleagues to look out for wellbeing issues and talk about the possible signs, so that knowledge is improved
Create an engaged workforce - by getting people together socially as well as for business purposes. It is possible to host all kinds of events online - for example celebrations, drinks, award ceremonies, quizes - do not underestimate how much better employees perform if they feel genuinely cared about and supported
Be flexible and understanding about any work from home arrangements you have in place. Remember peoples' circumstances and needs vary hugely and go with it, don't fight. Believe that your best employees will continue to be productive, however they work. It is the quality of the work that has the greatest value - not the rigidity of hours worked
Take people on the journey with you - by being authentic and transparent about the issues and the opportunities, keeping the tone forward looking and can-do
If you like what you read about #growth mindset and want to "speak it into existence" for you or your organisation, reach out to us at Moveo Associates for an initial conversation. It could be the best 30 minutes you invest this week.
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