Source: www.inc.com
Uncomfortable? Great. It’s the first step toward your eventual success.
The traditional image of a great leader is someone with absolute confidence who moves effortlessly through even the most difficult challenges. At its heart, exceptional leadership is demonstrated by mastering storms rather than avoiding them, which requires navigating discomfort. In short, they become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
More than a few leaders are uncomfortable. A survey conducted by Harris Poll found that 69 percent of managers said they’re often uncomfortable communicating with employees. Not only that, but 37 percent of managers surveyed said they’re uncomfortable having to give direct feedback on employee performance when they think the employee may respond negatively to the feedback.
That’s a mistake. Leaders who have a positive mindset about discomfort have a tremendous advantage in being able to use it as a driving force for growth and innovation. They view discomfort as a vital process that tests and strengthens their leadership capabilities.
Here are four ways you can embrace and utilize discomfort as a leader.
1. Embrace uncertainty
Discomfort is the seed of innovation. Ironically, though people usually fear uncertainty, that’s where innovation emerges from. Successful leaders in uncertain scenarios build organizational cultures that prioritize both flexibility and experimental approaches. They motivate their teams to accept uncertainty while cultivating a safe-to-fail environment where failures are seen as educational moments.
Focus on adaptability instead of rigid plans because this helps you respond swiftly to changes in your environment. This involves cultivating a tolerance for risk. Move away from approaches driven by fear toward ones that encourage curiosity and emphasize the importance of asking questions over finding quick answers.
2. Navigate conflict.
Conflict emerges from discomfort through interpersonal disagreements and differing perspectives as well as challenging stakeholder demands. Leaders who excel at their role confront conflict head on because they see these situations as chances to build better understanding and stronger relationships. Find the path to deeper understanding.
Encourage honest and transparent dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure the full range of perspectives receives attention. Through active listening, empathy, and constructive management of conflict, you and your teams can develop innovative solutions and build stronger connections.
3. Transform adversity.
View adversity as your fuel for resilience. Leadership capabilities reach their limits when faced with adversities such as economic downturns and market disruptions or internal crises. Leaders who successfully overcome such challenges show outstanding resilience and adaptability.
Aim for long-term outcomes and successes while resisting immediate panic reactions and be sure to enlist the active support of your people in this effort. When you enable your teams to take charge of problems, this creates a culture of joint accountability and united goals.
4. Cultivate discomfort as a deliberate practice.
Leveraging discomfort as a skill emerges through intentional practice rather than being an inherent talent. Take the initiative to find difficult situations which force you to step beyond your familiar environment. You can build resilience through activities like mindfulness exercises, meditation sessions, and physical workouts.
When you embrace discomfort, this can transform any anxiety you’re feeling into a key driver for your personal development while also advancing your organization’s success. Navigating discomfort with wisdom and courage can help anyone become more effective—both on and off the job.