We’ve recently been reviewing the steps to our Leader in You® framework. As a reminder, the framework has three key steps: Pause, Reflect, and Act.
- Pausing can help you to decrease your reactivity, so that you can respond as the leader you want to be.
- Reflecting on SELF and Reflecting on OTHERS can help you understand what’s going on inside of you and what might be going on in the other person.
- Act with POWER steps are five core actions that powerful leaders take to move forward on important issues and initiatives.
We understand that it may be overwhelming to figure out what various combinations of the PAUSE, REFLECT, and ACT steps could look like in action.
So, today, we’re supporting you with some examples to help you envision how you might use some of these steps in your leadership.
Chris
Pause, Possibility Mindset, We-Focused
Chris used to get caught in a downward spiral and become overly negative, when obstacles arose. She was typically unable to see any options of how to move forward and would spend her time ruminating.
PAUSE
She began using the Pause to remind herself that she wanted to be a leader who was able to navigate challenges and obstacles in a way that kept the team moving forward.
POSSIBILITY MINDSET
By pausing and asking herself, “What’s possible in this current challenge?”, Chris found that she was less reactive when roadblocks arose. She was able to think bigger and more creatively.
WE-FOCUSED
By pausing and looking for the possibilities, she was demonstrating to her team that obstacles and challenges always possibilities. They began collaborating more often to answer the question, “What’s possible?”, which created a sense of we and togetherness.
Jeremy
Reciprocal Influence, Pause, and We-Focused
Jeremy tends to be very decisive, enthusiastic, and outspoken which sometimes can leave others in the room feeling as if there isn’t opportunity for their thoughts and ideas.
GOAL
His goal is to influence people with his thoughts AND also allow space for them to influence him with their thoughts. He doesn’t always come across as wanting others to provide feedback, though.
PAUSE
He uses the Pause, to remind himself of his goal to be inclusive leader and team member who influences others and allow others space to influence him.
Jeremy keeps a note at the top of his notebook to help himself remember to Pause. It reads, “Pause, lean back, and provide room for others share their thoughts.”
WE-FOCUSED
Once Jeremy started providing space for others to influence him they started trusting that their input is welcome and are now sharing more ideas and creating better solutions, together.
Laura
Ownership and Reciprocal Influence
Laura works at an urgent care clinic where many of the staff are overworked and stressed.
GOAL
Her goal was to create a sense of community with her teammates so that they could feel supported by one another.
OWNERSHIP
Laura invited staff to join her for a 10-minute morning “connection” huddle where they could take ownership and share with each other, their passions for the work they do. Quite a few staff joined for the huddle and later told her that they enjoyed connecting with each other in this way.
RECIPROCAL INFLUENCE
They influenced each other with their thoughts about the type of connection meetings would feel best to each of them, moving forward. And together, they came up with a plan.
By remaining curious about each other’s needs, they’ve created a safe space to support and uplift each other, despite the whirlwind of work and life.
As you can see, there are various ways to use the Leader in You. Whether you’re Pausing, Reflecting, or Acting with Power, you’ll find increased success for you, your team, and your organization.
If you’d like to download a PDF with all of the PAUSE, REFLECT, and ACT steps in one place, click the link below.
We encourage you to look over the framework regularly to see how one or more of the steps can support you in your leadership.
Let us know how it’s going!
If you’d like support
adding our Leader in You steps
to your days,
contact us today.
