As a coach, I find myself gravitating towards understanding how my clients perceive themselves, others, and their circumstances, and how these thoughts are impacting them. In essence, I seek to uncover the beliefs that underpin their behaviors and actions, and how these beliefs influence their identity as leaders, their resilience, and their overall productivity. But why is our thought process so crucial?
Our thoughts significantly influence our decision-making processes. Positive, balanced thoughts lead to clearer, more rational decisions, while negative or irrational thoughts can cloud judgment and result in poor choices. Leaders with a positive mindset have the power to inspire and motivate their teams. By maintaining an optimistic outlook and demonstrating resilience, leaders can help their teams remain focused and engaged, even in challenging times.
Leaders often find themselves in high-stress environments and facing difficult situations. In these scenarios, our brains tend to generate negative narratives about ourselves, others, and our circumstances. Research by John Cacioppo has shown that our brains are wired for negativity, and this negative bias can significantly impact how people think, respond, and feel. When we accept our beliefs as absolute truths and act on them, we risk reacting emotionally rather than from a place of calm, clear-headed decision-making. Recognizing and shifting these beliefs and the underlying self-talk is crucial for maintaining a balanced perspective.
Below are actions that you can take to help manage negative thoughts and behaviors and create a positive work environment:
- Self awareness: Self-awareness is critical in being able to shift your mindset. Notice situations in which you feel angry, frustrated, irritated, guilty, or just generally bad. Identify what is happening in the moment and the thoughts you are attaching to it. These thoughts could be about yourself, others, or the circumstance (“I’m not good enough,” “I can’t trust anyone else to get things done,” “This is awful and there is no way out”). I ask my clients to keep a journal recording the situation, who was present, and the thoughts that were going through their mind.
- Cognitive restructuring: Once you identify your thoughts, discern what is true and what is negative self-talk. For example, if someone doesn’t complete their work and you find yourself frustrated with thoughts like: “they are lazy,” “they are unreliable,” “I can’t trust anyone,” and “it’s better to do things on my own,” take three deep breaths and ask yourself what other possibilities might explain why the work wasn’t completed.
- Feedback and growth: Use feedback as a tool for growth rather than a reflection of failure. If you find yourself triggered by feedback, go back to the above steps to increase your self-awareness around your reaction and to reframe your thoughts so that you can be open to the feedback.
- Support and encouragement: Actively support and encourage your team, focusing on their strengths and achievements. This positive reinforcement helps to balance the effects of negativity bias and boosts overall team morale and performance.
Understanding and managing our thoughts is not just about personal well-being; it’s about effective leadership. Leaders who cultivate a positive and balanced mindset can better navigate the complexities of their roles, make more informed decisions, and foster a more productive and motivated team. By addressing and transforming the core beliefs that drive our actions, we can unlock greater potential within ourselves and those we lead.
Elevate your Leadership Potential
To learn more about the power of mindset and executive coaching, reach out to Danielle for a consultation.