Most leaders like to think of growth and success as a straight line that keeps going up and up, taking them farther and higher all the time. Yet, reality is different. Growth is more like a series of loops that include moving forward, course turning, and changing course, while continuing to advance.
When turning around is smart
Of course, you can't be constantly turning around or you will only go in circles and never advance. But there are situations when turning around IS the smart thing to do. Here are some examples:
- When you are going in the wrong direction (obvious. . . but pride many times prevents you from turning around)
- When you have made a mess of things (just clean it up and turn around)
- When what you are doing is not working (Remember: doing the same thing expecting different results is the definition for insanity. . .)
- When something truly great is possible if you are willing to change directions
- When you are hurting yourself or others (calls for a speedy turn around)
- When you have “lost it” (whatever the “it” is)
How to accomplish a safe turn around
The first step is to realize you need to turn around. But from realization to successful execution there lies a big gap. It can feel as being stuck and unable to move.
Many clients seek my help when they are stuck. They realize they need to turn around, but are fearful, or unsure about how to do it. Here are a few suggestions:
- Take charge of your thoughts. Forget about failure and focus on where you want to go. You can’t turn around if you keep looking backwards. You need to focus on what is ahead.
- Create a realistic pathway, but turn around fast. Don’t wait until you have everything figured out in detail: where you are going, or how to get there. If you are under fire, your first task is to get away fast, before you get killed! Rely on your instincts of survival. Then, while you are turning around, figure out the best path.
- Go back to fundamentals. When you are trying to turn around fast, you don’t have time to find fancy ways to execute the turn. You need to go back to the fundamentals of safety, momentum, and how to maximize what you have on hand.
- Focus on small successes. You need the energy of the small wins to be able to keep going all the way around. Small wins build momentum and hope. The key is to keep making progress toward your goal, while focusing on the next small step.
- Enlist the help of others. You don’t have to figure out everything on your own. There are always people willing to help you out. Remember that time you were lost but were not willing to stop and ask for directions? Yet, when you eventually did, you received the help you needed, and probably admitted (at least internally) that you would have been better off asking for help sooner rather than later.
Remember. . .
If you need to turn around, don’t panic. Keep yourself positive and optimistic and take fast action in a new direction. Persevere in turning around, and before you know it, you’ll be on the right track.
I can help you, or the leaders that report to you, do a successful turn around. To find out more, simply click here.
Photos by: Logos Noesis