Where's Our Mojo Gone?

Vulnerability alert - As we fast approach the end of the year, I wanted to talk to you all about my own career journey this year, in terms of the apathy I feel I have had during parts of 2023.? I coach women, women of colour and underrepresented leaders from all demographics, what I found most people wanted when they asked to work with me - was motivation, help with resetting - the plans that had been forced to be made by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, maybe felt like they weren’t fit for purpose.? For the women leaders of colour that I work with, there has been a noticeable feeling of the targeted and generous support, pathways, sponsorship and championship they received in the wake of the George Floyd murder, has now deflated like a balloon, and along with it their motivation, to pursue the unchartered waters of senior leadership .??

My own situation is similar - as an entrepreneur, fired up with how I was going to change the world when the various atrocities and traumatising events that occurred during 2020/21, gave us the public acknowledgement that things for underrepresented and in particular black and brown individuals had to change in corporate and in business - I found myself this year, having to resort to explaining a lot more to companies the business case for diversity at senior levels - having to reiterate proven reasons for inclusion and the need for targeted support for women of colour to progress and succeed.??

I was exhausted with it all - exhausted and sad, because it seemed that what had been whispered amongst the community at the time was true.? That perhaps there wasn’t true care or drive for change from our állies’, that all of the support and public calls for change were to appease what was a very intense period of time for those from black and brown community.?

I wondered if what I was doing was worth triggering my own thoughts and feelings, having to engage with the effects of discrimination, bias, microaggressions, etc etc - all issues I knew all too well.?

I was apathetic - I wasn’t really sure whether I would ever manage to make the impact I intended to when I started my business.??

So - I went on tour, a huge tour (for those that don’t know I’m also a back-up singer for international stars!) where I performed on the biggest stages around the world- and whilst I did that - apart from my regular clients, I only popped in to do additional things with my business every now and again, my motivation was sapped.

For me when I realised my Mojo had gone, but I still remembered my purpose - that was the initiation of change - and why I am still here, working with and for you all today.??

So how do you get your motivation back, or how do you up-level your motivation and mindset to levels that will aid you in your senior leadership journey?

I have categorised, this? - return to purpose journey into 3 areas of transformation:?

1. Awareness of You now - an honest assessment of your current situation by asking these questions - what words would you use to describe how you feel about your career at the moment? What actions were you taking, 12-24 months ago that you are no longer doing? Do you want to change anything about your current career? If yes? Why do you want to make changes - family, income, personal development etc? - your awareness of your current situation, and understanding and acknowledging your why are the two most important components of this first step.?

2. Future Avatar -? create your future leader - I have spoken before about visualising who YOU are as a leader. If you were to create the ideal version of yourself, in relation to your career, what would it look like? Write down the leadership persona you would like to develop, some of the aspects you may want to consider could be:?

• level of leadership - head of; c suite; director?
• Type of leadership style?
• Team size
• Cultural, personality, and other authentic traits relating to how you present?
• Personal authority - how are you perceived by others at varying levels. How are you seen both internally and by clients and other stakeholders?
• What is your work life balance like? What is the picture of how you balance your home life your well-being and your work?

3. Transformation Implementation - The third step is making the change, now I can’t prescribe here because these actions will be different for everyone, dependent on the Future Avatar you’ve created, however I will suggest some common but effective ways of initiating and implementing transformative change in your career and therefore your life.?

• Seek out people who have a 50%- 70% match with your avatar, these are people you can try to learn from. There are various ways you can find these people, they may be in your own work environment or those of people you work with, but they will more than likely be on LinkedIn. Having adequate mentorship is important?
• Make a decision to be non-negotiable, set a time span for your transformation from where you are now to the point where you embody your avatar, and plan any actions within that time span. Remember your why/s, and become loyal to your action plan and your leadership development.?
• Develop your skills, look for industry standards, and new innovations and see where you can learn something, that helps increase your knowledge and passion for your area of expertise, and gives you gravitas and interest, when you are seeking out opportunities within your networks.?
• Network development - as well as your new mentors, being part of communities of individuals who are aspirational for you, as well as peer support from those at a similar level is an essential part of leadership development.

So in short - how do you get your motivation back? By paying attention to your natural excitement and passion for self-change, and self-evolution.?

Your ambition is valid, and you are more than worthy of it. Remembering that will help you through times of challenge, as well as surrounding yourself with individuals and situations that inspire you on your journey, champion your efforts, and where you are able to be authentic and bring your whole self.?

Please share this with anyone who you think would find this useful?

Let me know in the comments below if you are thinking about change, and if this has helped.?

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