Trusting the Process

Trusting the Process and Your Leadership Development

Jill came to me with concerns about her ability to develop into the leader she needed to be for her organization.

She had built several successful companies in the past and was now part of the executive leadership team of a new entity moving from the start-up phase into one of sustained growth.

Now the organization found itself on the cusp of a? “growth spurt” that would demand new thought processes and competencies, and the success of the company in this stage of its evolution would largely depend on her ability to “lead at scale.”?

She had always seen herself as a sort of “wartime general,” building small unit loyalty and commitment to purpose while facing the immediate challenges of organizational survival.?

In short; she saw a problem and fixed it.

But now she needed to develop new skills that included long-term visioning and communication, building consensus, and developing personal patience with the pace of how things got done in a larger organization.

Personal and organizational “success” meant that the venture would prove to be lucrative for all parties.

But the “finish” line seemed so far away and the path to get there was uncertain and beyond her perceived level of leadership ability.

Jill feared she might not be up to the task.

Where to begin?

Trust the Process

Excellent and sustained leadership at any level requires that you incorporate and apply many of the leadership disciplines necessary for true success.

Among them:

Awareness allows one to see reality despite emotional responses to circumstances.

Acceptance is a skill that allows you to remain present and objective by accepting that reality and understanding your reaction.

And when we act with conscious choice, we have evaluated the reality of the situation without judgment, in order to put a plan in place that maximizes performance potential and capacity.

Enter, “trusting the process.”

Trusting the process involves key concepts of learning and mastery.

It is recognizing that each day provides an opportunity to add to your leadership, feel confident in what you already bring to the table, and celebrate small successes along the way.

It doesn’t detract from the need to have a vision and work toward goals, but it means you approach them with a perspective that helps insulate you from the emotional peaks and valleys that come with doing difficult things.

By focusing on the process, you can push aside distractions and fear to implement daily habits of personal and professional growth.

Trusting the process is recognizing that you are always a work in progress and accepting that you are always doing the best you can and nothing else.

6 Ways To Trust The Process in Leadership Development

Focus on value?

No matter what we do and accomplish, it can be difficult to recognize the value we add. Take time to appreciate the unique value you bring to the table and that which you provide to others.

How does your leadership growth benefit others? Does it allow you to drive the business forward, thereby creating opportunities for others in terms of career growth and rewards?

The process of your leadership journey provides a special opportunity to experience new things and apply what you learn from those experiences for the benefit of yourself and others.

Celebrate that.

Release worry about the things you can’t control

You have control over the actions you take to help you and others succeed. That’s it.?

In business, you can apply your leadership and skill in terms of hiring the right talent, creating and sharing your vision, communicating effectively, creating a supportive environment that provides the opportunity for success, and executing to the best of your ability. The rest is up to forces you can’t control.

The trick ultimately, to making progress in your leadership development is to be confident in factors beyond your control.?

Release attachment to what you believe is “supposed” to happen, and see all results as bringing you closer to your ultimate goal.

There’s an old sales adage that says, every “No” is one step closer to “Yes.”

Show up to the best of your ability as a leader each day and success is in your future.

Embrace the unknown

How comfortable are you with being uncomfortable??

It is said that all growth occurs outside our comfort zone, and part of trusting the possess involves stepping into situations and confronting circumstances where the result is in doubt.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable and act with confidence in the face of uncertainty.

Be willing to take cues as clues for your next step, even if they appear unpleasant at first.

If you feel yourself retreating from hardship, refocus on your purpose and acceptance in overcoming all obstacles.?

Obstacles and setbacks are presented to us as lessons to be learned, and they contribute to our ultimate success.

Maintain your vision of success

The power of positive thinking and visioning of success can have a significant impact on both your outlook and outcomes.

This is more than “fake it ‘til you make it.”

It's tapping into your potential with a sense of optimism for reaching your goals. It's acting with confidence and knowing you already have what it takes.

It's just waiting to be unlocked and applied.?

When we approach our challenges with a positive mindset it gives us a greater sense of control in the circumstances we’re facing.

Think endorphins born of the combination of our vision of success, and the action we take to achieve it.

Ignore the naysayer (you)

As a species, we seem to be drawn to the negative; imagining threat, failure, and danger at every corner.

It’s a historic narrative playing on an endless loop. It keeps us safe, but it also keeps us playing small.

Do not be deterred, my friend. Anything we aspire to achieve is worth the effort it takes to get there.?

Be your own cheerleader (or surround yourself with positive influences), and ignore the naysayer(s). You don’t want anyone hindering your momentum; least of all you.

If you allow a fearful narrative to take root in your head and deter you from your path you’ll regret it.

Embrace failure

What is failure besides one step closer to success?

Think of all the so-called “failures” you’ve experienced in life and recognize how they've made you the leader you are today, positioned to be the leader you'll be tomorrow.?

Failure is an opportunity for growth. It never defines us, and we are more likely to enjoy success when we embrace our opportunities for growth.

Trusting the process means we recognize that we are exactly where we’re supposed to be - for a moment, before we take the opportunity to determine where we are next.

Final Thoughts

Trusting the process is easier when our plans are working and things are going well, but it takes resilience and self-leadership to do it in the face of adversity.

Knowing that you can bounce back from any perceived setback and that you have the power to respond to any situation or circumstance that you choose to, in the manner that you choose, makes you a powerful leader.

Incorporate those “bumps in the road” into your purpose, and accept them as points along the path to your ultimate success.

When you find yourself getting comfortable or feeling as though you’ve “made it,” find the next uncomfortable path to take.

It’s worth it.

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Brian is an ICF-certified executive life and leadership coach.?

He combines a unique background of leadership roles in the military, manufacturing operations, and human resources to deliver powerful coaching and help his clients achieve their personal and professional development goals.