In critical thinking, inversion is a problem-solving technique that involves considering the opposite of what you want to achieve.
This can help you to identify potential problems and roadblocks and to come up with more creative solutions.
For example, if you are trying to figure out how to improve your productivity, you could ask yourself "What are the things that are making me less productive?" This can help you to identify areas where you can make changes.
The universe is always listening to your thoughts..
The more positive thinking you do, the more positive energy you will receive
Go to sleep at night and think about your goals for the coming day
make a list for each day of all the goals the little goals you are going to accomplish that day.
keep a journal and write down your goals on a regular basis
when you are driving through the day, think about your goals,
when you are talking to other people, think about your goals
you see you do become what you think about most of the time
you do achieve what you think about most of the time
so all successful people and all wealthy people think about their goals most of the time.
At the age of 20, Leda, one of the authors of this story, was terrified when asked to supervise a team of older and more experienced colleagues. The first few months weren’t easy, but the experience eventually became a turning point in her life.
Leadership roles present exciting opportunities for career advancement, personal growth and fulfilment. Beyond the appeal of higher salaries, the positions offer the chance to drive change, mentor others and enhance your interpersonal skills.
However, feeling apprehensive about taking this significant step in your career is natural. You’re not alone — between 74 to 83 per cent of leaders feel unprepared for their roles, and many capable individuals decline promotions due to concerns about their readiness and potential changes in how they are perceived by others.
Whether you’re stepping into the C-suite or your first team lead role, the prospect of leading others can be daunting. So, how can you confidently make the leap into a leadership position?
While there are steps you can take independently to prepare, leveraging your professional network will be crucial for building confidence and achieving success.
No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.
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Your professional network comprises people you’re connected to at your workplace, such as peers and supervisors. It also includes people from former jobs, social interactions and events.
As these connections progress in their careers, many will enter leadership roles, becoming invaluable parts of your network and social capital — provided you stay in touch.
A strong professional network offers numerous benefits, particularly when preparing for leadership roles. Here are three ways your professional network can help:
Your professional network can guide you toward leadership roles that fit you. Beyond informing you of opportunities, your network connections are more likely to understand your goals and skills. Their belief in your potential can boost your confidence, helping you take the plunge into a supervisory position.
People with leadership experience in your network can provide invaluable insights. A quick conversation with someone who has been in a similar role can clarify responsibilities and expectations that might not be apparent from the job description. Learning from their experiences can better prepare you for potential challenges. Consider seeking formal sponsorship from leaders you admire. They can provide a sounding board for your ideas and valuable second opinions.
Your professional network is a rich resource for developing leadership skills. Observe how others in your network handle situations and consider how you can apply those skills in your context. Additionally, attend seminars, subscribe to newsletters like Harvard Business Review‘s “Management Tip of the Day” and engage with leadership communities on social media. Influential public intellectuals like Daniel Goleman, Adam Grant, Brené Brown and Simon Sinek offer valuable advice on developing leadership skills.
To make the most of your professional network, take the time to reflect on what you are learning and, most importantly, how you are feeling. Transformative learning often occurs when you turn disorienting moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth. Embrace these moments to gain deeper insights, capitalize on your strengths and develop strategies to address any gaps.
If you’re worried about finding people with leadership experience in your network, we have a few practical strategies to help you expand it:
Keep track of people you meet. Whether you meet people at work or other places, take the time to learn about them and connect with them afterwards — tools like LinkedIn can help.
Use every opportunity to stay in touch. Use opportunities like lunch breaks, coffee meetings or shared events to build and maintain relationships.
Maintain a people-centred philosophy. Build relationships for the sake of the relationship itself, viewing any benefits as secondary. Use curiosity and good judgment, and consider giving first without expecting anything in return. This mindset will help you develop genuine and long-lasting relationships.
Look for win-win collaborations. Think about how you might add value to their career. Seasoned leaders might be curious about your thoughts on workplace trends like using AI and supervising in the post-COVID era. You have something to contribute — just listen closely to understand what matters to them.
Leverage introductions from your network. Try to use the superpower of your “friend’s friends.” Having someone vouch for you can boost your credibility and make a strong first impression.
In the end, you might never feel 100 per cent ready for leadership, but don’t shy away from a fantastic opportunity to expand your skills and relationships.
As Leda discovered, leveraging her professional network was instrumental in navigating her early leadership challenges and ultimately turning that experience into a pivotal moment in her career. The rewards are many, and those in supervisory roles often say they’d never look back despite the steep learning curves.
Reach out, build those connections and let others help you get to where you want to go. Embrace the journey, learn from every interaction, and you’ll find that the support of your network can make all the difference.
Leadership is not a solitary path — it’s one built on relationships, insights and mutual growth. So, take the leap. Your professional network is ready to support you in making your next big career move!
Leda Stawnychko, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Organizational Theory, Mount Royal University and Ean Tsou, PhD Candidate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Calgary
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
There are three keys to getting the best out of others and the first of these is appreciation,
every time you thank another person, you cause that person
to like themselves more.
you raise their self-esteem and you improve their self-image.
You cause them to feel more important, you make them feel, that
what they did was valuable and worthwhile. You empower people by expressing
appreciation.
And the wonderful thing about thanking other people is that
every time you say the words thank You, you like yourself better as well. You
feel better inside, you feel happier and more content with yourself and life. You
feel more fully integrated and positive about what you are doing
When you develop an attitude of gratitude that flows forth
from you and all your interactions with others, you will be amazed at how
popular you will become and how eager others will be to help you in whatever
you are doing.
Start with yourself, begin with your talents, your abilities, your own experience, your knowledge, your interests, your background and your education. Look within your own life and work for your Acres of diamonds. There is a famous story called Acres of Diamonds.
Many years ago a farmer sold his farm and went off into
Africa looking for Diamonds, he exhausted his resources and finally despaired
and threw himself in the ocean and drowned. Meanwhile, back on his farm, the
new farmer was digging out in the Farm one day and he found a Rock that Amazingly threw off lights and it turned
out to be a great Diamond
As he looked he began to find more and more or he found the
entire farm was covered with Acres of diamonds
This is the story told by Russel Conwell many years ago that
changed the lives of so many thousands of people.
******
Set aside time to become better and better
It is easier than ever before to get caught up in your daily tasks and distractions. Whether it is working late on a project, or running errands for your boss or social media. However to live a fulfilling life you have to be sure that you're spending time working towards your big personal goals
Maybe you have a dream of starting your own business, maybe you have a book that you've been wanting to write for years, but you can never find the time, whatever your goals are you must carve out time from your busy week to work on them on a regular basis. This could be 30 mins a week two hours per day, but it's equally important that you commit time towards taking care of Yourself.
When we are wrong and we surrender, it means we are honest.
When we are in doubt and we surrender, it means we are wise.
But when we are right and we surrender, it means we value
relations.
***
Having the capacity to nurture connections and possess strong interpersonal abilities can profoundly influence your overall life trajectory. That's why it's imperative for everyone to cultivate and refine these skills. By fostering positive relationships across all domains of your life, you pave the way for greater happiness and success. Did you realize that the aptitude for harmonious interaction, often referred to as social intelligence, holds significant value? It stands as one of the most lucrative forms of intelligence in America, with a staggering 85 per cent of your life's success being attributed to your social prowess. Your capability to engage constructively and harmoniously with others, rallying their cooperation towards achieving shared objectives, is paramount.
***
