Do you sometimes feel like there are things going on that feel out of your control?
I’m working with a large corporate company at the moment, coaching their senior leaders on how to successfully transition to the next level in their career.
Mindset is a huge part of this transition.
There is a saying “What got you here won’t get you there.” and this is true whether you run your own business or lead a team within an organisation.
New levels of leadership require different approaches and ways of thinking. What got you operating at level B will be different to level C. And no matter who I coach, or what their situation, there’s something that comes up time and time again.
Focus on what you can influence, not on what you can’t. ❤️
The circle of influence and concern is one of the most simple, yet tried and tested leadership models I’ve worked with.
I started using it way back at the beginning of my leadership career when I read ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey. and I still use it to this day. Not just for my clients but for myself too!
What is it?
It contains three circles (there were originally two but one has been added over the years.)
The inner-circle (circle of control) contains everything you have direct control over. Your thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and actions. What you do or don’t focus on, what you do or don’t take action on. Your attitude, mindset, and mood.
The middle circle (circle of influence) includes the things you have indirect control and a level of influence over. You can’t directly control these things but you may be able to influence the outcome. This includes other people’s thoughts, behaviour, and actions. Your commitments, how productive you are at work, what other people think of you. The projects you become involved in, the ideas that you want to implement.
The outer circle (circle of concern) is full of things that you have no control over. This includes the weather, things that have happened in the past, flight cancellations at airports, death, and the rising cost of utilities.
Getting caught up in this mindset blocker and spending precious time and energy in the circle of concern can hold you back from what’s really important.
It keeps you in the detail, adds to anxiety, spiralling thoughts, negative feelings, and behaviour.
When you are in this spiral it’s difficult to step up and out and look at things strategically, which is essential if you are transitioning to a new level of leadership.
So what do you do?
The trick is to surrender and focus only on the circle of influence and control.
What is in your power?
What can you control?
Who or what can you influence?
How can you choose to think and feel?
What do you need to say that needs to be said?
How can you change the course of events?
Draw out the three circles and fill it in for yourself. See where you are placing your time and energy and where you can shift it to achieve a better outcome and a calmer, more peaceful mind.
How often are you in your circle of concern?❤
Much love,
Helen xx
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