In a disruptive ever-changing world it’s increasingly not uncommon for leaders to find themselves in challenging situations of adversity -failing strategies, shrinking market share, inability to find innovative solutions, keeping up with competition or new technology. New terms of the game, including Upskilling in time and motivating teams to stay and and contribute…these situations demand deep critical thinking skills to solve wicked problems of the new economy.

Finding spaces to truly Reflect on their own Thinking is going to be key for Leaders, especially in Cultures of Power, Control, Groupthink and Authority Bias..

These times need Leaders to challenge their own thinking even when no one else will, by-

-asking themselves what proof they have their thought/ solution May be true?

-ask themselves what evidence they have that the thought May not true?

-what thought could be more useful than the one they have currently?

-what could be another way to view the situation?

-what would they say to a friend who had come up with this thought ?

– what is under their control in the situation and what is not in their control ?

-if the worst happened, how would they cope and deal with that?

These and more questions can help Step-up to challenge their Own thinking.

One of the biggest bane of experienced seasoned leadership in changing times is that they have grown in a different season/ world. In our work at Capstone, we find home-grown Leaders can struggle with legacy thinking and Fixed Mindsets, difficult to break out of as they are often also in an ecosystem of legacy thinkers. Inability to teach Leaders to challenge their own thinking, has the peril of losing opportunities for creative and speedy problem solving and breakthroughs in an ever-changing market..

Do you agree? What has been your experience with Leaders being supported to challenge their own thinking? The Humility to learn, unlearn and relearn again, these words by James Allen ring true..

It masters time, it conquers space,
It cows that boastful trickster chance,
And bids the tyrant Circumstance,
Uncrown, and fill a servant’s place

The human Will that force unseen,
The offspring of a deathless soul,
Can hew a way to any goal,
Though walks of granite intervene..