The Challenge in Changing Leadership Behaviors

I have read much on Neuroscience and Leadership in the last few months.  It comforts me to know why it’s so difficult to change my old habits.  On some level, I realize that changing leadership behaviors will cause a certain amount of discomfort.  My instinct is to remain squarely in my comfort zone.  However, the cost of staying there is missing out on ideas, opportunities, and new relationships.

When I review the goals I wrote months ago they seem simple on paper.  Nothing I wrote down is difficult, complicated, or even remotely impossible, yet I have not made them my priorities.  They are still relevant goals in my work, but I have yet to make them habits.  What am I waiting for?  I’ve changed habits in my life.  I know I can do it.  I know there are benefits to doing so.  I’ve made some changes at work that are helping me work more productively, but I admit I have only picked the low-hanging fruit.

Adding intentional focus to my life has helped me face the pain of change and made it shrink.  At the very least, just recognizing when I’m falling back on an old habit is valuable because I’m forced to be intentional and confront the change I need to make.  It’s not quite natural yet, but I’m confident that, in time, it will at least feel more natural.  As the saying goes, “You need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable!”  It’s time for me to reach for the top fruit.  I’m ready.

A very valuable change I’ve made during this leadership program has been in working with my local cohort to practice coaching, doing the SWOT analysis and also taking what we’ve learned to the other managers in our department.  We have improved communication within our department, identified some issues that need addressed, and are working on implementing some initiatives to take advantage of opportunities.  I’m excited about the way we have clicked and the direction we’re taking our department already.

I also want to reflect on the value I see in the relationships we’re all building with each other across the campuses.  I had heard about the MOR leadership programs from a previous attendee who had traveled to various other schools with cohorts outside of Nebraska.  At first, I thought that we would be missing out on the diversity of being in a cohort with other schools and the perspectives that could bring.  But now I believe we’re very lucky to be working within our higher education system and building the relationships (and changing leadership behaviors…) that will serve us well as MOR alumni for many years to come.