Welcome to Spring đ!
Youâve made it through the first quarter of the new year, hopefully building your ability to lead during this time of great ambiguity and flexing those adaptability muscles. I continue to hear about the importance of these two skills, no matter where you are on your leadership journey.
When I think about how to move in a world filled with uncertainty, and what happens when you do, I was inspired by recent quotes from Chief members who spoke about writing your own playbook when there is none; and stepping into the unknown during uncertain times to discover more about yourself and your potential. For me, this translates into starting with a vision for a new future.
What better time to step back, figure out what you do know and what you donât, and then develop a 3-5 year vision â especially when the future is unknown.
Having a vision provides the opportunity to think about or plan the future with imagination and wisdom, even (especially) when it is unsure. I can speak from personal experience because I started with a vision for transforming my coaching practice more than 3 years ago. Last week I saw tangible signs that the vision has come to fruition.
Before 2020, I delivered leadership coaching by traveling to various locations to meet with clients in-person, sit-in on their staff and executive team meetings, and facilitate workshops and group coaching sessions. After the pandemic hit, I did not know when, or even if, that type of coaching delivery would restart. As hybrid work became the norm, virtual 1:1 coaching, team meetings and workshops did as well. The coaching industry made a huge shift to online coaching, driven by pioneers like Brendon Burchard and online coaching platforms like Better Up and Torch.
Facing an ambiguous future yet armed with a methodology and large portfolio of tools, models, workshops, and experience in human development that would translate well to the online world, I started with a vision to transform from an Executive Coaching practice to an online leadership coaching and training company.
My journey has included everything from taking Brendonâs courses; to hiring curriculum and course development consultants; engaging with digital marketing and social media experts; and writing business/marketing plans and e-books. I even launched an AI-enhanced, digital software coaching product.
Last week, I had two validating experiences about the importance of having a vision:
- A newsletter from my coaching school alma mater encouraged Coaches to leverage AI-powered coaching tools and analytics software; online group coaching or self-paced learning tools; and hybrid coaching (live and digital) for competitive advantage;
- My website re-launched and that online coaching and training company I set out to build was there in living color, with products and programs neatly organized using the Assess. Act. Achieve. coaching methodology that has served my Executive Coaching practice so well.
Over the past few years, I put one foot in front of the other every day, guided by a vision (and a great new Marketing and Operations team). The journey has been arduous, but the vision helped me stay clear on my WHY through those ambiguous times. So put it out there and take the necessary steps to get there. You will be pleasantly surprised at how naming your future will help you create it!
P.S. Here are my resource recommendations to accompany this article:
â¶Watch: Simon Sinek’s “Keep Your Vision BIG”
đRead:Â You Don’t Find Your Purpose You Build ItÂ
đRead:Â When Managing through Ambiguity, Start with a Clear VisionÂ
đReview: LorettaStagnitto.com