Open My Eyes

As leaders we often find that being human in today’s dynamic work environment can bring its share of difficulties. In striving to get things done in the short term, we sometimes fail to see opportunities that will actually keep our organizations alive in the long term.

Let’s be honest. We say that we’re innovative and committed to process improvement, but in reality we find ourselves so pressed for time that we accept a few suggestions during a weekly meeting in an attempt to rationalize our internal dialogue and struggle. The suggestions remind us of the effort involved in getting those ideas forward, yet they also press against the challenges of our already overflowing plate. Rather than infuse the ambiguity that arrives with ideas, our senses often get pushed to the side waiting for that allusive time that we will have to delve into it. As a result we may inadvertently be closing the meaningful possibilities that would help our businesses flourish.

Dr. Robert J. Sternberg, a noted psychologist, educator, and author of countless books once stated, “Complacency can come about because of our own expertise. We can become so comfortable with it that we assume we know all there is to know and stop growing. We come up with no new ideas and are reluctant to consider new ideas from others. Meanwhile, the world has passed us by”.

Lighting Up Our Senses

It is time to watch our work diet. It is time to realistically look at what we have to accomplish or attain and consider a shift in paradigm. Shift the way that we process information and our thought processes in a way that expands our ability to sense a wider range of possibilities. We need to begin with authenticity. Tell others around you that you want a healthier workplace environment and consider the following tips:

• Increase some level of physical exercise into your
routine. It’s one of the single best ways to both
increase resistance to stress and unlock your personal
creativity.

• Be surprised by something new each day. Walk through a
different crowd or corridor in the workplace. Ask
yourself what’s different, and what’s changing for our
internal departments. Be aware of your visual senses and
maximize them.

• Take a different path on your way into work. Our brains
actually create more “pathways” when we travel away from
autopilot.

• Increase your tolerance for ambiguity. Creative ideas tend
to come in bits and pieces and take time to develop.
Ambiguity leaves many feeling uncomfortable. It’s this
very discomfort that aids our thinking from resisting
status quo. Don’t fight it.

By striving to enhance your senses toward possibilities, five wonderful things will happen:

1.Your senses will come alive and you’ll begin to feel
energized as a leader.

2.You’ll stop your inner critic from claiming ownership
over your over crowded workload and schedule.

3.You’ll bust the innovation-on-demand myth and begin
producing lasting results.

4.You’ll begin to find meaning as you honor the highest
callings and responsibilities as a leader. By helping
others believe in their own abilities and encouraging
them to realize every day creative opportunities which
add value and contribute to the success of your
workplace, customers and communities.

5. People will come to your side to collaborate and offer
assistance to implement new improvements. They will also
come to learn when to challenge assumptions, reshape
them, and or adapt to them in the future.

Decide to thrive today!