I can predict the future.
As much as I would love to say my talent is unique, I know that everybody can perform this trick as well. I guarantee you have unintentionally used it multiple times throughout your life. Sadly this skill doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to pick winning lottery numbers, and I wouldn’t bet your fortune on a Kentucky Derby horse. However, this magic presents itself every day in your business, and if you watch closely, you can see it happen.
In a recent meeting, I was coaching a company’s leadership team and discussing actions that needed to change to get desired results. “That will never happen!” a manager quickly exclaimed. This person then went on to list all the reasons why it wouldn’t work.
The enthusiasm was outstanding, and misplaced. Without question, the future had been set. Change wasn’t going to happen because a key member of the leadership team had already made up their mind.
How often have you seen this?
This is a major frustration for business owners everywhere. Mindset dictates future results. Our predetermined beliefs, combined with past experience, causes us to subconsciously go down the familiar path of the outcomes we expect. The prophecies are exposed in terms like: “that won’t work,” “it can’t happen,” “we’ve tried that before,” or “it’s impossible.” The desire for progress hitting the wall of resistance is one of the most significant causes of business failure.
Our brain is the most powerful tool we have. It creates our reality and will do anything (anything!) to seek out its truth. So how do you change that mindset?
7 Steps to Change Your Outcome
1. Manage results. Leaders focus on outcomes. Stick to your goals.
2. Ask questions instead of making statements. Start a discussion when the wave of criticism surfaces.
3 .Stay the course. Remain focused on the direction you are going. Work with your team to find a solution.
4. Coach to small wins. Work with your team to develop smaller goals that work towards the larger one.
5. Recognize progress at every step. Openly celebrate progress, no matter how small.
6. Practice creativity often. Use tools and techniques that unlock the creative part of the mind to get people thinking outside the box.
7. Teach agility. Nothing is going to work 100% of the time. Every now and then you need to change direction and take another run.