Council Discourse: Rebuilding, Guidance, and the Journey from Disruption to Insight
Council Discourse: Rebuilding, Guidance, and the Journey from Disruption to Insight
Dr. Joelle K. Jay, an accoladed executive coach and LRI Director, along with being an author of the book 'The Inner Edge: The 10 Practices of Personal Leadership', understands that change induces mayhem and perplexity, which can be both intimidating and exhilarating. Discovering a pattern in change during such chaos leads to fresh beginnings, new comprehensions, and a new approach to navigating the future.
Leaders frequently experience such exhilarating yet daunting occasions.
• The company's transition to being publicly traded.
• The decision to switch to virtual operations.
• Assuming leadership of operations.
• Launching a new startup.
• The discovery of a groundbreaking invention.
• The emergence of an innovative concept.
Each of these moments signals a transformation—an instant that alters everything permanently.
Even in our personal lives, we encounter transformative moments.
• The arrival of a newborn.
• Making a significant decision.
• Collapsing under the weight of feelings.
• Asking for assistance when required.
None of these are inherently good or bad. At first glance, they may seem one way or another, but their impact is entirely contingent on our actions.
The key to triumphing in such moments lies in understanding that you are in charge.
This is a pivotal moment, too—realizing your responsibility to guide yourself from your current situation to where you want to be—from chaos to clarity, from brokenness to restoration, and from the unknown to the known.
A Personal Account
I recall a time when I was engulfed by an assortment of worries that, for the only time I can remember, I couldn't honestly claim to be "fine." When asked how I was, I struggled to answer, "I'm doing well," although I wasn't. Once I became aware of this, I felt uneasy. How was I to proceed from this state? How would I return to "fine"?
Supposing that if I was to find a way out, I should first grasp my position more clearly. How fine was I at the moment? Was I twenty percent fine? Thirty percent? Simply inquiring this question helped me feel a little better, so I evaluated myself at forty percent. Proceeding with tasks that increased this number seemed like a promising course of action.
What did I require? I needed order. I needed time to ponder. I needed to regain control. I took steps in each of these areas. Soon I was at fifty percent.
What did I need then? I needed to make decisions. I needed to establish a new vision. I took further measures. Soon I was at sixty percent.
What did I need then? I needed to care for myself—go for a run, meditate, eat healthily. That brought me to seventy-five percent.
I devoted time for fun—to visit the beach, to socialize with friends. I flourished to eighty percent.
By the time I got to ninety percent, ninety-two percent, and ninety-four percent, I had a clear understanding of what I desired in my life, what I didn't, and what signified a new beginning in this unfamiliar landscape. Not only had I established a new vision, but it felt like a new life. I had returned to 100%. I felt restored.
My journey from overwhelmed to peace and prosperity may not have taken long, but it did require leadership. Personal leadership. Leadership of my circumstances and leadership towards the objectives I had for what I desired my daily existence to be. Your journey will be unique, as your circumstances differ from mine, but the principles remain the same.
Five Paths to Restoration
Regardless of whether you are boldly embarking on a business venture, pursuing a personal goal, recovering from a crisis, or rebuilding following unforeseen upheaval, here are five paths to restoration.
- Recognize the situation you are in. Be truthful with yourself. Discontinue deceiving yourself and confront the reality.
- Request what you require. You might request insights from yourself or others, but make your requests with confidence that there are solutions.
- Choose a step and execute it. Don't worry about each and every step; don't attempt to tackle everything at once. Select one step that appears to be heading in the proper direction, and observe its effects.
- Sense yourself advancing in the right direction. Observe how the sense of weightlessness increases as chaos dissipates and clarity emerges.
- Celebrate your achievement! Don't allow the moment to pass. Your victory over the stumbling block is the moment you transcend it, so embrace the lessons and appreciate your leadership power.
Illustrations of Leaders and Restoration
Over the past year, I've interviewed twenty-five accomplished leaders to hear their stories of transformation, and each of them concluded with restoration.
• Daniel was a CTO who spearheaded a significant transformation of his company's business model—effectively revolutionizing it from the ground up. It is now a flourishing enterprise and was even featured on the cover of a leading business magazine.
• Bridgett was a struggling single mother who was promoted to the executive committee while on maternity leave and has since received accolades as "a woman to watch."
• Tiffany lost her sister to a terminal illness, leaving her in deep despair and causing her to question the purpose of her life. The resilience lessons she learned, and the importance they held for her, have shaped her leadership philosophy, which she now shares on stage with thousands of leaders.
I've discovered from delving into personal development that it usually culminates in rejuvenation. Understanding this can provide you the bravery and self-assurance, regardless of how drastically different things may seem or how exhilarating-terrifying it might feel, to take the significant steps that will mold you into the leader you were destined to become.
Are you a part of the Exclusive Coaching Circle? This is a paraphrased version of the original text.*
Joelle Jay, being an esteemed executive coach and author of 'The Inner Edge: The 10 Practices of Personal Leadership', can relate to leaders experiencing transformation moments, as she has faced her own moments of personal transformation.
Moreover, Joelle's experience and expertise make her a valuable resource for leaders seeking guidance as they navigate the complexities of change, leading from chaos to clarity, and ultimately, restoration.