12 Questions for Leading Through Disruptive Times

Introduction:

The purpose of this newsletter is two fold..

One, in response to a question I’ve been asked over and over by leaders and aspiring leaders over the past 12 years.

A universal question that is not related to a specific 'niche' or 'market' or 'industry' or even specific leadership 'role' - which begs the question -

Is it message or is it market that really matters?

The question asked:

How do I lead through disruption and uncertainty, even 'black swan' moments?

And through good discovery and coaching, when I've peeled back the layers, I've found a treasure trove of deeper questions that often go unanswered.

Perhaps some might be familiar to you, as well.

If so, we talk the same language.

?? How can I stay confident and grounded when faced with tough times and uncertainty?

?? What steps can I take to find the courage to pivot in business or life when everything feels risky?

?? How do I build the conviction to stand firm in my beliefs despite external pressures?

?? How can I lead and inspire my team when people's motivations are unclear or unpredictable?

?? What strategies can help me take me, my leadership, my role or my business to the next level when progress feels stagnant?

?? How do I play the long game in a world that constantly demands short-term results?

?? How can I align my actions with what truly matters to me, not just what’s expected?

?? What techniques can I use to make decisions with confidence, even when I don’t have all the answers?

?? How do I effectively manage my team's dynamics during times of uncertainty and change?

?? What key indicators show that I'm evolving from that obsolescent leader of yesterday to the relevant leader of tomorrow?

?? How can I leverage my leadership style to drive engagement and motivation within my team?

?? What specific actions can I take to cultivate a mindset of innovation and adaptability in my organization and show up as that thought leader worth listening to?

These challenges demand more than just traditional leadership training.

And this newsletter is designed to help you do more that that, at scale.

It's why I think Steven Bartlett's quote below is so spot on... it's about bringing in fresh new and innovative ideas to help build out that personal scaleability - to not just disrupt the way you think, feel and act, but to help you do that for others - to take you to a level of fulfilment as a leader over and above just achieving.

Have you ever stopped to think what those complementary and rare skills are that your industry values?

Or what your role might need to demonstrate that others will value moving forward?

Or what your competitor (internal or external) might lack that will give you that disruptive edge?

Remember, we are talking disruptive leadership.

Disruptive means 'skating to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.'

And that means deliberately expanding who you are and what you bring to the table.

Think about this:

?? Are you seen as someone who inspires others enough, bringing energy and a clear vision to your team or do you just go through the motions?

?? Do you add value to conversations by thinking deeply enough and presenting ideas in a way that encourages change and demonstrates true thought leadership, or do you simply repeat what others say and have said?

?? Do you embrace the concept of anti-fragility, thriving in uncertainty with a confident attitude that goes beyond being resilient, or are you seen as someone who struggles to cope or looks for the easy way out?

?? Can you make decisions on your own as well as collaborate with others, showing both humility and confidence in your leadership style or are you a cost centre to yourself, others and your business through indecisiveness contributing to lost opportunities instead?

This leadership journey is about becoming a leader who not only handles change but also drives it, leaning into those qualities of courage and conviction so you can turn those challenges into chances for growth.

That's why I've developed the 'Disruptive Leadership Scale' - a powerful model I'll share with you over the coming weeks to help leaders assess and develop their capabilities, make confident decisions in uncertainty, and transform challenges into strategic advantages for driving innovation and resilience.

The second reason for today's newsletter is to share the journey together over the coming months. And it will include ....

The following strategies:

?? Insights on how to build and sustain that much needed courage and conviction in leadership to reach a level of fulfilment as well as achievement.

?? Real-world examples of leaders transforming themselves and others through the Principles of Deliberate Disruption.

?? Tools to shift from mere survival to true significance, especially in uncertain times.

?? Actionable steps for leading with clarity and purpose.

?? Video tutorials where I will share practical tips and strategies on how to expand your potential.

?? Resources designed to help you step up into the future you.

Why me?

With over 20 years of experience in corporate sales and leadership, bricks and mortar business ownership, and entrepreneurial experience coaching leaders, business owners, C-suite executives and a track record of helping companies increase their revenues, client advocacy, productivity and profits through mentoring and speaking to audiences around the world, I bring proven strategies and boots on the ground insights to help you navigate the complexities of:

• leading self
• leading others and
• leading leaders

Outside of that - numerous black swan moments have seen me pack up my tent and pitch it somewhere else instead of packing up my tent and heading for the hills ... and with that comes wisdom and a certain knowing... and the strategies behind our personal and professional evolution toward living and leading a life of significance and meaning, and the calling to share that with others on a wider scale.

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In our upcoming edition, we'll dive into '3 Reasons Why Disruptive Leadership is Key in Today’s World'.

And in the meantime,

Continue to be Bold, Brave, and Brilliant!

Cheers, Bernadette

P.S. Do you have a story of how you’ve led through uncertainty? I’d love to feature your experience in an upcoming edition. DM me to discuss sharing your story!

Here's what you can do next:

Download your copy of 'The Disruptive Leader' today and discover where you might sit on the disruptive leadership scale and what your progress indicator might be.

Ready to take it a step further? Book me for a speaking engagement and let’s inspire your team or member organisation to embrace change and drive innovation together!

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