Leading with Your Inner Child: The Secret to Mastering Uncertainty
Once upon a time, in the serene yet somber valleys of Kashmir, Colonel Sharma found a unique way to connect with the heart of the community. Not only did he share laughter-filled games of cricket on the snowy grounds, volleyball matches, and football kickabouts with the local children, but he also embraced their culture by sitting with them during Quran recital sessions.
With each game, every candy shared, and verse recited, a bond formed, stronger than the cold winter air. The children’s hugs became his solace, a bridge over the chasm of difference, reminding him of his own family far away.
In these moments of simple play and shared silence, Colonel Sharma discovered that true leadership wasn’t just about strategies; it was about finding happiness in togetherness, bridging gaps with the universal language of play, joy and respect.
The Corporate War
We all know that while there is one side that might win in a war, there is no side that escapes death and destruction that war inherently brings. My interview with Colonel Sharma made me reflect on how leading in the corporate world today requires no less courage than leading an army going to war.
But do we need to be hard on the enemy and on ourselves to claim victory? Do decisions need to be as black and white in dispute situations? Is it possible to handle deal with crisis and uncertainty with an open heart?
I believe, yes! It is possible; in fact, it is the most humane way, if we dare to look within.
Listening to Colonel Sharma’s story, I wondered where this courage came from. Here was a leader who challenged the status quo and went against all odds to find a common ground of understanding and trust with the so-called enemy. I had watched similar India-Pakistan movies on the big screen, but for the first time, met a loving heart who had shown me how untapping our inner child can win minds at war. For the first time, met a loving heart who had shown me how untapping our inner child can win minds at war.
In the heart of every leader, there lies a dormant force, often overlooked yet immensely powerful — their inner child.
As a leadership coach and facilitator, I’ve journeyed alongside many in the realms of uncertainty, and I’ve discovered that the key to not just surviving but thriving in such times lies in reconnecting with this primal essence.
Allow me to guide you through this enriching journey, where we rediscover the wonder, creativity, and resilience of our inner child, using them as our compass through the fog of uncertainty.
Why Leaders Struggle with Uncertainty
The Challenge of Uncertainty
In the business world, leaders are trained to strategize, forecast, and plan with precision. Uncertainty, therefore, stands as an antithesis to the very foundation upon which their decision-making structures are built. The expectation for leaders to drive initiatives such as AI, ESG, DEI, and well-being, combined with the unpredictable nature of modern business environments, often leaves leaders feeling unanchored and prompts them to retreat to more familiar, albeit outdated, leadership methods.
Rediscovering the Inner Child: Addressing the Fear
A significant hurdle in embracing one’s inner child is the fear of self-discovery.
Leaders, accustomed to projecting an image of strength and infallibility, might fear that acknowledging their inner child could unveil vulnerabilities or perceived weaknesses. This fear, however, misconstrues the inner child’s essence, which is not a source of weakness but a wellspring of untapped potential.
To thrive in uncertainty, it’s imperative for leaders to confront this fear head-on. The path to rediscovering the inner child is not devoid of challenges, but it is a journey worth embarking on for those brave enough to take the first step.
The Six Change Accelerators to Thrive in Uncertainty
To thrive in uncertainty, I have discovered six key accelerators that have been found to significantly influence how leaders embrace uncertainty and drive organizational change: vulnerability, compassion, strategic foresight, disruptive thinking, creative agility and group dynamics. Here’s how your inner child can enable these accelerators and help you become more effective leaders.
Vulnerability: The Uncharted Strength
In the heart of a child lies the courage to show vulnerability — an open book without fear of judgment. As we grow, layers of armor encase us, distancing us from this truth. Yet, it’s in the Vulnerability of our inner child where we find genuine connection and trust. It’s okay to drop your guard. By embracing our vulnerabilities as leaders, we create a sanctuary where openness flourishes, fostering a culture where every voice feels valued and heard. It’s takes courage to be vulnerable!
The Compassion of Playful Hearts
Remember the boundless compassion of childhood, where every tear was noticed, every joy shared? This empathy is the cornerstone of Compassionate Leadership. By nurturing our inner child, we cultivate a leadership style that not only recognizes but acts on the emotional and professional needs of our team, building a foundation of empathy and understanding that bridges divides and unites spirits. However employees distrust their leader who seemed to empathize but didn’t show in their actions that they cared — for example, by following through on promises.
The Awakening of Curiosity
Imagine for a moment, the uninhibited curiosity of a child — every question, a quest; every problem, an adventure. As leaders, embracing this aspect of our inner child empowers us to view uncertainty not as a threat, but as a landscape brimming with possibilities. You must ask ‘why’ and dare to question everything for continuous improvement. It’s this curiosity that fuels our Strategic Foresight, enabling us to envision beyond the horizon and navigate our ship with visionary precision.
Embracing the Disruptive Thinker
The inner child knows no boundaries, their imagination untamed by the ‘impossibles’ of the adult world. This is the seed of Disruptive Thinking — the ability to challenge the status quo and innovate from a place of boundless creativity. Encouraging this form of thinking within ourselves and our teams leads to breakthroughs that redefine industries and leave lasting legacies.
Creative Agility: The Dance of Flexibility
Observing children at play, one is struck by their adaptability, their innate ability to switch roles, rules, and games with fluid ease. This Creative Agility is a critical asset in the unpredictable theatre of business. It enables us to pivot strategies, explore new paradigms, and react with precision to the ever-shifting sands beneath our feet.
Fostering Dynamic Group Dynamics
Children, in their essence, are masters of collaboration. Their playtime is a lesson in Enhancing Group Dynamics — negotiating roles, sharing victories, and learning from failures together. As leaders, when we infuse our teams with the spirit of our inner child, we cultivate a playground of innovation where every member contributes, collaborates, and co-creates in harmony.
In the orchestra of uncertainty, the inner child is the maestro, conducting with a baton of wonder, creativity, and resilience. As leaders, when we dare to reconnect with this forgotten part of ourselves, we unlock a wellspring of potential that can guide our teams through the most turbulent of times. So, I invite you to take this step — embrace your inner child, unleash the six key accelerators, and watch as you transform uncertainty into a canvas of infinite possibilities. Together, let’s dance in the rain of challenges, for it is in the storm that we discover the strength of our spirit and the true essence of leadership.
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(Should you wish to rediscover your inner child and delve deeper into these ideas, enriched with real-life stories (like the one about Colonel Sharma) as well as corporate case studies, I humbly invite you to consider reading my book, ‘Play to Transform: How Your Inner Child Can Accelerate Change and Rehumanize Business’. It is my sincere hope that it might serve as a helpful companion on your journey. For leadership training and management coaching enquiries, drop me a direct message or contact hello@play2transform.com)
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