Think on Purpose

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Are you solving the right challenge with the right solution? Many of us—and our teams—are actually facing adaptive challenges, but we are using technical solutions to solve them, resulting in frustration and ineffective teams. Key takeaways: 

1. Most corporate trainings focus on technical challenges, leaving leaders and teams unprepared to handle adaptive, mindset-based problems.
2. Adaptive challenges require personal growth and mindset shifts, not just external tools or processes.
3. Leaders can help their teams through adaptive challenges by starting small, asking deeper questions, and providing ongoing reflection and support.

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Jen considers Kegan and Lahey’s Immunity to Change, a concept that reveals how hidden commitments and outdated beliefs keep us from making progress, even when we truly want to change. By identifying our unconscious assumptions and challenging them, we can unlock real growth. Key takeaways: 
1) Our hidden commitments often conflict with our conscious goals
2) It makes sense that our brain works against what we want in service of safety
3) Uncovering these beliefs helps us understand what's truly holding us back

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Jen explores the powerful concept of above the line and below the line mindsets, and how they shape our leadership and personal growth. Learn how to recognize when you're stuck in a fear-based mindset and how to shift toward curiosity, openness, and radical responsibility for lasting change. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Above-the-line mindsets foster growth, creativity, and connection, while below-the-line mindsets are rooted in fear and defensiveness.
2. Awareness and curiosity are the keys to shifting from below the line to above the line thinking.
3. As a leader, your mindset will determine if you and your team succeed or fail.

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Jen explores the shift from trying to be liked to focusing on liking others more. By genuinely finding what’s likeable in others, we create stronger relationships, foster trust, and make it easier to drive change. 

Key benefits of focusing on how you can like others:
- Trust builds better teams
- Change is easier when you're liked
- Resilient relationships thrive in tough times

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Jen explores how to create a culture of learning within your team, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth both at work and in life. She shares practical strategies for fostering curiosity, encouraging development, and handling situations where team members might be resistant to change.

Key Takeaways:
1. As a leader, demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning to inspire your team to do the same.
2. Make learning a natural part of your team’s workflow through regular debriefs, discussions, and accessible resources.
3. Start small, have open conversations, and respect each team member's learning pace to encourage even the most reluctant individuals.

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Jen explores the critical role soft skills play in effective leadership, highlighting how these interpersonal abilities, like communication and empathy, often separate good leaders from great ones.

Key Takeaways:
1. Soft skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability are essential for effective leadership.
2. Many leaders focus on hard skills but often overlook the value of soft skills in driving success.
3. Soft skills can be developed and refined over time, making them accessible to any leader willing to grow.

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Jen explores how labeling obstacles as Level 1, 2, or 3 can help leaders manage challenges more effectively, using the traffic light metaphor to illustrate how different levels of obstacles require varying degrees of attention and resources.

1. Categorizing challenges as Level 1, 2, or 3 helps leaders prioritize resources and maintain focus on what truly matters.
2. A leader who believes "everything is figureoutable" can have a positive impact on the mental health of those she leads.
3. It's impossible to have a plan for everything, but recognizing the level of obstacle helps leaders get out of the lower brain and into problem solving.

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Jen explores the often-overlooked "messy middle"—the transitional phase where one door has closed, but the next hasn't yet opened. Instead of rushing through this uncomfortable space, we discuss the importance of embracing it as a critical part of our personal growth and transformation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Acceptance: Embrace the liminal space you're in. By accepting your current situation instead of resisting it, you conserve energy for the real work of growth and transformation.

2. Don't Rush: Meaningful transformation takes time. Like a caterpillar in its chrysalis, you need time to fully evolve. Rushing the process might lead to missed growth opportunities.

3. Curiosity and Anticipation: Shift your perspective from dread to curiosity. The middle of your story is where all the action happens—use this time to learn, grow, and prepare for what’s next.

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Jen's soon-to-be college student has been "soiling the nest" and it's not unlike how some of us show up at work when we want to avoid certain types of tasks or decisions.

Key Takeaways:
1. Just as children assert independence, teams need space to grow and learn from their mistakes, which sometimes means leaders must let go of control.
2. Reflect on your leadership actions—are you creating a supportive environment, or might you be "soiling your own nest" through micromanagement or avoiding tough conversations?
3. Effective leadership involves not only guiding others but also being mindful of your own impact and allowing room for both personal and team growth.

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Jen explores an idea from Craig Groeschel about the importance of appreciating your team - to the point where it actually feels uncomfortable.  

Key takeaways: 1) Push beyond your comfort zone in showing appreciation. 2) Make recognition personal and specific. 3) Remember that your team is giving work their best

Want more info on living and leading with intention and purpose?
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