No warning signs
2020 has been an exceptionally challenging year for higher ed. leaders and has required a high level of flexibility and adaptability. Unfortunately, the downside of having to do things differently is lack of accountability and unclear expectations. Many people in positions of leadership have been on “survival mode”, just trying to make it through each day, without much self-awareness.
COVID-19 has been a huge disruption but – consciously or not – many administrators used it as an excuse to lower standards. Some people got away with being unreliable, or inaccessible, or making flagrant mistakes, or having emotional outbursts, or barely managing but not leading, or not keeping their staff members accountable, and so on. Why was that tolerated?
Most of my coaching clients asked me to help them deal with peers or even supervisors who were not doing their job. It takes a high level of sensitivity, strategy, and emotional intelligence to influence a supervisor’s behavior without sounding negative or critical. It was really interesting to hear about dynamics and behaviors that emerged this year. I got curious as to why nobody called out top leaders on their disappointing behaviors. It became clear that conflict-avoidance and sometimes fear of retaliation stopped people from providing honest feedback to leaders who are near the top of the organizational chart.
If you read my articles, you are a leader in higher ed. and it’s possible that some of your behaviors could hurt your credibility, your reputation, and your opportunities for advancement. The trouble is, there are no warning signs. People may even tell you that it’s ok you didn’t get back to them when they needed your guidance, or it’s ok that you lost your composure in a meeting, or it’s ok that you keep pushing deadlines, but it’s not ok. Any level of complacency will come at a price.
Become more self-aware and intentional
Please don’t rely on people’s feedback to know if you need to make improvements. People often become enablers because they don’t know how to handle uncomfortable situations. It’s critical that you create standards for yourself and keep yourself accountable. Where have you been lenient this year? Did you really need to be compassionate and understanding or is it time to raise the bar?
One shocking trend is lack of vision. When people experience a high level of stress, they lose their ability to think strategically and create an inspiring vision for the future. They tend to obsess about their fears and keep thinking about what scares them and what they want to avoid. With that type of mindset, they can’t lead.
You must take some time to create a vision of who you want to be as a leader and what you want to see happen in 2020/2021. Obviously, not everything is under your control, so stop thinking about what you can’t control and give all your attention to what you can do. You get to decide how you show up every day, how you think, how you speak, how you make decisions, and how you act. Be intentional.
Question your limitations
Whatever we tell ourselves becomes true. It’s fascinating to see how the mind always seeks consistency. If you tell yourself “I am terrible at time management and follow-through” your behavior will reflect that. Or if you blame your situation and say “There is always too much work” your mind will also look for evidence that the statement is true, rather than seek solutions to do better.
Please observe your self-talk and make a list of limitations that rule your life. Pay extra attention to what you say after the words “I am” or “I am not”. Interestingly, humility often turns into self-criticism and low self-esteem or low self-confidence. If you don’t trust yourself to succeed at something, you can’t succeed.
People with a fixed mindset will see no value in this article, and that’s ok, but if you have a growth mindset I implore you to wake up and decide to free yourself from limitations you created in your own mind. A whole new world of possibilities will open for you. As added benefit, you will feel much better by reducing fear and stress, and foster confidence, enthusiasm, and trust in your abilities. Transformation takes work but it’s worth it!
Picture this…
Change is hard when we only see what we’ll lose (i.e., comfort and predictability) and we can’t see what we’ll gain. So, imagine how your life will transform when you no longer feel guilt for doing less than your best, shame for not being good enough, frustration when you feel disappointed or stuck, and a myriad other unpleasant emotions. Imagine feeling free to lead at the highest level, being self-assured, confident, trusting in the future, and creating beautiful results for your team.
Imagine receiving praise from your peers and leaders, and appreciation from all the people you serve. Imagine what you will learn, how you will grow, and what you’ll be able to accomplish. Think about the career opportunities you will access. Imagine search consultants reaching out to you to invite you to apply for exciting positions. See yourself in an environment that allows your full self-expression and gives you a golden opportunity to do what you love.
You have a choice to make. You can stay the same and nothing will change. Or you can decide that today marks the beginning of a new life. I invite you to click here to schedule a call with me and discuss how we can work together to transform your mindset, life, and career. Do it now. There is no time to waste.
About the author: Dr. Audrey Reille has empowered thousands of professionals through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, speaking engagements, and online courses. Audrey is the go-to coach for leaders in higher education administration. She empowers them to thrive by reducing stress, optimizing strategies, improving professional relationships, and developing a strong and empowered mindset.