Leading Effectively Amidst Personal Change
Managing change is not only a challenge for leaders in the workplace; it is also a challenge they face in their personal lives. Not surprisingly, the latter often impacts the former. At Switch, when we step into a project, we do more than apply tools to a business case; we recognize that the leaders we are working with may also have personal challenges they are navigating. Whether coordinating a house move, caring for an aging parent, or managing through the loss of a beloved family pet, leaders are not immune to external events impacting their ability to lead well. As we have learned over the last 20+ years, a leader who is equipped to navigate personal change is better equipped to lead change in the workplace. In this article, we share four tips that can help you show up as an effective leader while navigating change personally and, in doing so, inspire your team to do the same.
Lead with Authenticity
It is likely that you are not the only one on your team dealing with something difficult or an element of change outside of work. There is value in normalizing personal challenges for your team. In Dare to Lead, Brene Brown writes that appropriately sharing your situation and how it is impacting you can:
Lead to increased trust among team members and foster deeper connections within the team. When leaders model vulnerability it creates a safe space for others to do the same.
Create an environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Vulnerability makes team members feel new perspectives and innovative solutions are welcomed and valued.
Encourage team members to learn from their personal challenges as well as to seek support when needed because the leader has modeled this approach.
Elevate empathy and understanding among team members which can result in building a culture in which team members seek to support each other.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries are critical for you and your team members to perform at the highest level. While you likely already have some boundaries in place, a significant personal challenge is a good time to reevaluate those boundaries and consider setting new ones. Foundational boundaries can include being clear about your availability and priorities, as well as delegating tasks where possible. Guarding your availability and priorities will allow you to better manage your mental and physical health. This will also give permission to your employees to do the same.
In addition to these boundaries, consider these other adjustments: Do you need to delegate more? Do you need to form a group of leaders from your team who can help support the change process? Which decisions can only you make, and which ones can you trust others to make? What is the right timeline for the transformation project so that you and your team do not become overwhelmed and frustrated?
Your boundaries will not only help you navigate the transformation well; they can also be key to reducing risks to the success of the project.
Seek Support
In addition to setting boundaries, it is important to practice other good self-care activities and to seek support. Prioritize activities such as exercise and spending time with loved ones. These activities can help to relieve stress and provide valuable perspective. Support may come from peers, mentors, or a therapist. Asking for help is something that some leaders find difficult to do. Moreover, because they are unfamiliar with doing this some leaders do not know how to ask for help. If you are a leader who is simultaneously going through a transformation at work and a personal change, consider taking this approach as early as possible in the process:
If you do not already have a small group (2-3) of peers, whether internal or external, that you touch base with monthly, seek out others who can serve as sounding boards and encouragers through this process and beyond.
Schedule time with your mentors to share what is going on. If you don’t meet regularly, ask for a more frequent cadence during the transformation period.
A good therapist will be beneficial for navigating challenges at work and at home. If you do nothing other than talk through what is going on that will be helpful.
Remain Focused
While it is important to acknowledge the difficulty of navigating a personal challenge at the same time you are leading a transformation at work, it is also important to stay focused on the goals of the project and the objectives of the team. Model what you want to see in your team when they go through personal challenges. As we have outlined, that includes authenticity, boundary setting, and seeking support, but it also includes adaptability, resilience, and a positive attitude.
You might have heard the phrase, “We can do hard things.” It is common because it is true and because we all need to hear it on a regular basis. If you acknowledge your need for boundaries and support, while remaining focused on the tasks you and your team need to accomplish one day at a time, then you will successfully lead yourself and your team through your transformation.
For more information about Switch and how we can help you, send us an email at contact@switchconsultinggroup.com. If you’re interested in receiving our latest articles in your inbox or hearing about upcoming webinars, submit your email address in the “Stay in the Know” form below.
