Building Resilience: How Mental Strength Shapes Effective Leadership
Are you looking for practical ways to implement mental strength, and stay calm under pressure? Don’t miss today’s interview with my friend Scott Mautz.
“Hey Karin. I know that strong leaders stay calm under pressure. And I look at leaders who do this incredibly well. And I want to be that guy (or gal). But it’s hard. What advice do you have to stay calm, regulating my emotions, particularly when times are tough? #askingforafriend
What does it mean to be a mentally strong leader?
“Mental strength is the ability to regulate your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors for productive outcomes, regardless of the circumstances. Even in adversity. It’s managing internally so you can lead externally.”
How do you become mentally strong, so you can stay calm under pressure?
“If you are able to build the habits to increase your mental strength, it’s like the cheat code for achievement.”
The six habits:
1. Fortitude
2. Confidence
3. Boldness
4. Messaging
5. Decision Making
6. Goal Focus
What is Fortitude?
Fortitude is more than just enduring tough situations; it’s about proactive resilience. Think of it as the backbone of your leadership style. It empowers you to not only withstand challenges but also to thrive amidst them. This involves a mixture of patience, grit, and the psychological stamina to face and overcome adversity.
Leaders with this kind of mental strength don’t shy away from difficult decisions; they make them with a clear mind and a steadfast heart, knowing that each challenge is an opportunity to grow and reinforce their team’s confidence and resolve. This quality ensures that you, as a leader, remain a dependable beacon for your team, especially when the waters get rough.
Part of being mentally strong is having the resilience and fortitude to handle all the things that get thrown at you day to day.
Scott talks about the habit of “grindfulness (gratitude combined with mindfulness). Gratitude is not enough, because humans tend to forget to be thankful. “Grindfulness” enables you to take pleasure in the details of everyday life, and then convert that into action about how you feel about the rest of your life.
Build Your Adversity Manifesto
I love Scott’s idea of building an Adversity Manifesto. Write down 5 ways you’re going to show up when things get bad.
For example, you can count on me to stay calm under pressure. I won’t point fingers. I’ll listen. You set the expectation that it’s not a matter of if adversity is coming is when. And the expectation of you how you’ll show up.
You can invite your team to hold you accountable to that. And, also to make commitments to others of how they’ll show up as well.
I’m curious what would you add? What habits do you put in place to show mental strength and stay calm under pressure?
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