You won’t be a great leader without this

The key to becoming a great leader? Quantum physics.

Through the very act of watching, the observer affects reality.

This is one of the most intriguing premises of quantum theory AND human behavior.

The quantum physics premise emerged from a famous experiment, where, when measured, microscopic matter behaved differently, almost as if it knew that it was being watched, just like human beings.

When people know they are being watched, say on closed-circuit cameras, they behave differently than if they don’t think anyone’s watching. The same applies to us as individuals when we are paying attention to our own internal thoughts and behaviors.

Leaders can harness the strategy of awareness to transform and shift the underlying causes of issues they confront every day.

Raising our awareness, to our own motivations, patterns, and desires, as well as those of the people around us—otherwise known as emotional intelligence—is not only key to resolving issues at their root cause, the very act of awareness begins their resolution.

So, how does this show up for you as a leader? This is exactly the work we do at MettaWorks: bringing the unconscious to conscious awareness; the unseen, to seen. We coach leaders from the inside out.

Perception alone transforms the perceived object, event, behavior, or person. Seeing is changing.

We, as leaders, are transformed as we become more self-aware, simply by virtue of it.

A great example of this is with a client who alienated his stakeholders and direct reports alike by automatically saying “no” to any request. This became such a chronic issue that people would refuse to work with him, and instead work around him in order to get things done.

It was only once he became aware of, and started to observe, the pattern did it start to shift. He realized he was avoiding conversations when he didn’t have the answers.

Just being aware of what he was doing allowed him to be in charge of his behavior. Instead of automatically saying no, he could respond more honestly and thus more effectively, saying “Let’s figure this out together.” The conversation then constructively turned toward how to find the answer, rather than refusing to engage altogether.

Awareness thus becomes goal #1, and the critical first step toward becoming the sought-after, respected, self-possessed leader you know you are capable of being.

How are we showing up? Who are we? Who do we want to be?

These existential questions have a very real effect on the actions we take in our work, and the influence and impact we have as leaders.

By leading from a deeply self-aware, self-regulated place, we can shift from reactive to proactive, and a focus beyond personal advancement to legacy, and the greater impact we want to make in the world.

Take a moment to think today about where you need to shine the light of your awareness. Which dark corners have you stuck? Remember—your awareness alone will get the wheels of change in motion. To keep those wheels turning, schedule a complimentary discovery call with one of our coaches here.

Rachel Rider
Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant