Here in Texas, we faced an unusually harsh winter. Yet, despite frigid temperatures, many of our plants survived. With the arrival of spring, they’re now thriving. Renewal and resilience have rightfully been on my mind. As business leaders, there’s no time like the present to consider our own growth and personal transformation.
After all, people, too, have dealt with a difficult season — one that’s been filled with pandemic woes. Spring has brought hope for us as well, in the form of several vaccines that are rolling out to the public with increasing speed. Many people are looking forward to enjoying life again in our “new normal.” However, some are still hoping for a return to just “normal.”
But is a return to “normal” even possible? So much has changed — and so much continues to change — especially in the business world. As we move forward, what business practices will survive for us as leaders? In what ways will we flourish? What must we let go of?
After pondering growth and renewal this spring, I’d like to share my thoughts on personal transformation as we move forward into whatever comes next.
Business Practices to Nurture
Signs of growth are all around me. On our small acreage in Central Texas, our pasture is coming to life with bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush. The trees are leafing out. Everything has turned a lively green. Spring is my favorite time of the year. Hope fills the air.
As a business leader, spring is a reminder that I can leave old practices behind and start fresh. This spring in particular, after so many dark months, has made me consider what will be most beneficial to myself and my team moving forward.
Here’s what I hope will remain in my new normal:
- More frequent, meaningful connections. We need each other. The pandemic has reminded me that family, friends, and colleagues are important. We should stay in touch with regularity. My to-do list is filled with reminders to reconnect.
- Vulnerability. We’ve promoted being open and honest about what we’re feeling and experiencing during the pandemic. These times of sharing have been healing. I want to continue this openness moving forward. Vulnerability leads to growth and self-awareness.
- Less business travel. We’ve learned how to connect meaningfully using a variety of media platforms. We should continue to use these tools to stay connected. Should business leaders travel? Absolutely. But we can also use media platforms to stay connected in the interim without wasting time, energy, and budgets sitting in airports or rental vehicles.
Negative Behaviors to Weed Out
Unfortunately, weeds are also flourishing in our pasture. Though it will take time and effort, these troublesome plants need to be removed. As leaders, we likely observe some negative “weedy” behaviors that we’d be better off without.
Here’s what I hope to exclude, or at least reduce, in my new normal:
- Selfishness. In times of stress, we tend to become focused on ourselves. However, effective leaders remain other-focused. They listen. They empathize. I desire to be that kind of leader.
- Skepticism. It’s time to restore trust. All too often we cut ourselves slack while making harsh judgments of others’ shortcomings. Now is the time for me to give others the same benefit of the doubt that I give myself.
Personal Transformation as a Path Forward
At the CrossGroup, change and adaptation are crucial messages of our leadership development programs. I believe we all truly desire personal transformation. In fact, I say often that the ability to adapt is the hallmark of a true professional. Being and doing better is how we forge our path forward.
So how about you? I’d love to hear about your personal transformation efforts as leaders influencing yourselves and others. What business practices will you nurture and which ones will you weed out as we move forward into a new normal?