Focus on Change

“If you focus on results you will never change. If you focus on change you will get results.”

-Jack Dixon

I recently facilitated a leadership workshop for a team of senior leaders in the pharma industry, that demonstrated a relatively good performance in the last year, but was unhappy with results, challenged by upcoming changes in the organization and ultimately demotivated. One thing that came out was the importance of embracing change as a catalyst for growth.

It might sound counter-intuitive but if you think about it, it's absolutely true. Focusing on change and evolution takes the pressure off delivering results. It helps leaders cultivate a mentality that rewards growth and does not fear leaving the past behind towards new horizons. Here are some of the workshop takeaways:

See failures as stepping stones to success
No experience ever goes wasted and the mark of a true leader comes from being able to see failures not as a disappointment but as a stepping stone to success. Learn from mistakes and use them as training ground to greatness, inspiring your team to overcome them with grit and determination.

Embrace change
Accept there will be change and celebrate change as a catalyst for evolution. If there was no change, no opportunities would ever open up for new ideas, new players in the market, new solutions to existing problems. Change is the catalyst for creativity!

View effort as a path to mastery
Place value on effort, as a path to success. Results are of course important, but research shows that if you focus on effort, the results are always better in the long run than if you just look for short term performance. Remember evolution and growth are marathons, not sprints. Focus on continually improving.

Practice gratitude
Celebrate what you have already accomplished. Actively practice gratitude for where you are and acknowledge your strengths and values. These will be your springboard to greatness and will help fuel your performance.