I don’t think anyone would argue that being in business at the moment is anything other than distinctly tricky. Today’s business leader absolutely has to be agile, resilient, knowledgeable, empathetic and inspiring. I am of course acutely aware of – and fully acknowledge – this complexity and the long list of demanding criteria for success as I go about my coaching and leadership workshop delivery. You might therefore be surprised to hear me singing the praises of getting ‘back to basics’ or, as I like to put it, living by the KISS principle and ‘keeping it simple stupid’! Yet, that is exactly what I am doing. What’s more, I can say I’ve done so all my working life, and it feels like it’s never been more relevant than today.
Just a KISS
Keeping it simple has many significant benefits, but I guess the main one is self-preservation. If you’re exhausted to the point where you can no longer function properly, then how on earth can you help those looking to you to set an example? What’s more, if you can’t function, then you are clearly not enjoying what you’re doing, and your results are going to be way below what’s required to get the job done. And for me ‘not functioning’ can be either a mental or a physical issue, since both are completely interdependent. Both body and mind have to be in good health for the whole ‘you’ to be successful and fulfilled.
Dispel limiting beliefs
Often it is the mind which stops us achieving what we want – by holding us back with limiting beliefs or incessantly negative mind chatter. Equally, we are sometimes guilty of forcing ourselves on a marathon strategy away-day in a fancy hotel, when really a couple of easily accessible 5k runs were what was really required. If we can develop the mental strength to turn away from thinking of strategy as a banquet, and eat little, healthy snacks on a regular basis, we’ll have time for physical exercise in between. Obviously, this is an analogy, but I feel it could also be taken quite literally to good effect, and perhaps serve an excellent way of embedding a good habit which can be replicated elsewhere in your business life.
Judge for yourself
If you’re interested in learning more about how I practice what I preach, you’re very welcome to come along on any of my Challenge 22 workshops and judge for yourself. There’s a new cohort starting soon. It would be a pleasure to welcome you there and help keep you at the top of your game. As you might expect, the session is brief (not stretched out in a way to justify a heavy fee or to keep a trainer in a job) and focused on a few relevant aspects of coaching leadership, which will leave you refreshed and ready to put new ideas into practice. Find out more about Challenge 22 here: https://barnhillconsulting.co.uk/workshops/