Reinventing Leadership -Confidence and Adaptability in Today’s Marketplace
I recently had the pleasure of revisiting my friends at the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) to speak about a topic close to my heart: Reinventing Leadership.
It was gratifying to drill down and share insights on two essential qualities in our ever-evolving professional landscape: embracing confidence and adaptability.
Reinvention and Leadership
Effective leadership in today’s business marketplace involves more than keeping up with industry trends. It requires reinventing one's leadership style and inspiring others to do the same. Embracing new technologies and fostering a culture of continuous learning and flexibility are just a few ways to make this journey smoother and more enjoyable.
There’s no better way to illustrate the power of reinvention than for me to describe my own journey.
-Getting Started-
I had my midlife crisis at 45. I was running a successful printing company that generated seven figures in revenue, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted something more personally fulfilling, so I focused my reinvention on the new and growing field of professional coaching.
When I Googled business coaching back in 2007, I quickly learned that few people understood, let alone knew about, this career. It didn’t appear on the first or second page of Google. I found it on page three after coaching soccer, tennis, and even fencing. According to the 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study, it is now a $4.56 billion industry.
I quickly learned my own inner confidence was an issue. I had no problem selling a printing job worth over $30,000, yet I could barely sell coaching or consulting services at $300 to $500 per month per client. How did I transform? How do we transform and lead others to adapt and embrace change?
-Reinvention is Scary-
Reinvention is defined as something that has changed so much that it appears entirely new. Reinvention can be scary and intimidating, often seen as better suited for others than ourselves. It can feel like a rollercoaster ride: you’re strapped in tightly, turned upside down, and left dangling. Even worse, it could be like being inside Space Mountain®, where you’re in total darkness and can’t see what’s coming your way.
- Adaptability as a Core Strength -
In our world of constant change, pivoting quickly is essential. Leaders who embrace flexibility in their strategies can respond more effectively to evolving circumstances, keeping their organizations competitive and innovative.
I learned to cultivate resilience. Resilient leaders understand that challenges are part of the journey and view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than threats. They instill this mindset in their teams, helping everyone bounce back stronger.
I also learned to anticipate and welcome change. Growth will always follow when you find a way to step outside your comfort zone.
-Be The Change-
A principle of reinvention is to embrace the future. With the changes in business today, we need to reinvent ourselves and plan how to work as teams and leaders to stay ahead of the curve. One area that is shifting and evolving is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has come to be viewed as a catalyst for productivity in a startlingly short time.
However, some individuals are resistant and fearful of AI. Others are leaning into it and learning how to use it as an asset for their productivity.
Leaders must take the initiative and be among the first to want to learn about new systems, technologies, and ideas to stay on the cutting edge in growth and innovation.
We recently played with AI as we were brainstorming title ideas for a presentation and putting a short paragraph description together for it. It definitely shortened the time it has taken in the past.
Additionally, I’ve learned to use ChatGPT and AI to push myself out of my comfort zone. Instead of relying solely on what I've written many times before, I now use AI and take the time to explore other perspectives on the specific topic. Can I be more effective by describing it differently? The key is always starting with my thoughts as input rather than depending entirely on AI to create the project. This way, these advanced intelligence models are appropriately used as tools rather than alternative “authors.”
I’ll close with these summary points:
• Embrace Change: Growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
• Lead with Confidence: Trust in your ability to navigate new challenges.
• Stay Curious: Keep learning, ask questions, and stay open to new perspectives.
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