Leadership Challenges: Puzzles, Hurdles, and Entanglements

REFRAMING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES

A Strategic Approach To Growth

When it comes to Leadership, there will be a lot of trials and tribulations. Set backs and hinderances.

It can be disappointing at times but really, if the leader can reframe these temporary failures and disappointments into lessons for learning. The leader will then realise that in actuality, they become the new starting points on their journey of their chosen path.

Points which they can begin with new strength, experience and knowledge.

One thing that can really be useful to the leader, however, is that when a challenge arises, the ability to identify the type of challenge it is can take the sting out it.

As the leader gains experience (and even skill) with dealing with particular types of challenges, it then ceases to be too much of a concern for the leader.

Some leaders might even thrive off the challenges, turning them into some sort of game for them to win.

But in short, understanding the types of challenges in front of them and then learning how to deal with them appropriately, can stop the feeling of being lost, overwhelmed or even concerned that it has arrived.

Let us explore what each challenge could be and what could be done about them.

THE ESSENCE OF PUZZLE-TYPE CHALLENGES

The Deliberate Search For Solutions

One challenge can appear as a puzzle.

It might induce confusion. Due to the lack of components needed to figure out what is happening (answers, information etc.).

The complexity of the challenge could be akin to a curve ball for the leader.

Not looking at the full picture (or not being able to see it yet) can induce a sense of feeling lost or being overwhelmed, which can be quite distressful too.

A puzzle is to be patiently analyzed. It involves careful consideration, as opposed to rushed reactions.

In this way as the leader works their way through the challenge, not only will they realise that it is indeed a puzzle.

But they will then begin to intentionally and thoughtfully seek out the parts of the puzzle that are missing.

In searching for the missing pieces (answers, components, information, solution etc.) they are now in problem solving mode.

They realize now that they are not seeing the whole (maybe fragmented) picture and need to stand back for a moment to see what's going on.

Once the leader starts to discover the missing pieces, this is when they can start to solve the problem and put everything back together.

THE ESSENCE OF HURDLE-TYPE CHALLENGES

Tactical Approaches To Overcoming Obstacles

Another challenge could be a hurdle, an obstacle.

This is a challenge that needs to be overcome.

This could give the leader the sense that they are being blocked or that they cant get past something.

This is where the leader can decide to use persistence and determination to wear down the obstacle. To finally break through.

Or they could change their approach. Move in a different direction. To go around or over the hurdle.

But in each case, this seemingly immovable object that is holding them back and keeping them from moving forward, at most times, needs some actual strategic action to deal with it.

Either through force of will via persistence and determination or from an altering of the direction the leader is taking. To outmaneuver and go around the obstacle.

THE ESSENCE OF ENTANGLEMENT-TYPE CHALLENGES

Breaking Free From Limitations With Decisive Action

This challenge arrives as entanglement.

This gives the feeling of being tied up in something. Being limited by an external source which limits the leaders actions or choices to move forward.

This can become really stressful for the leader if not dealt with as quickly as possible.

If there are other elements like time limits, deadlines or just the feeling of wanting to move forward, this can be quite a stressful hinderance to the leader.

Depending on the type of entanglement it is, it might require a lot of the leaders focus and attention to remove themselves from this challenge as quick as possible.

Because it could quite simply be that if not dealt with as early as possible, this type of challenge can slow progress, cause major limitations to movements and decisions the leader may want to take.

Escaping this challenge with speed and precision is the answer here.

MASTERING CHALLENGES

Embracing Challenges To Lead With Confidence

The worst challenge of all is if there is an element of all three involved. The puzzle, the obstacle and entanglement.

If this is the case, the leader will have to discern which aspect of the challenge is which, break it down into either of the three parts and then decide which part of the challenge to deal with first.

If the leader feels that they have a huge challenge on their hands, then the breaking it down into smaller more manageable components could be a solution.

That very act alone, of breaking the big challenge down into smaller chunks, could just be the very thing that's needed.

This blog was inspired by a book by the name of:

365 TAO: Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao

While in the book this was meant as a principle in life, I felt that it could be a useful thing for an aspiring Leader to take note of.

In life and business, we can be beset by challenges and such. Some can overwhelm us, others can disappoint us. Some can anger us, some may make us consider to quit.

But from the inspiration of this book, I wanted to share a perspective on how we could actually deal with many of our challenges.

Enabling us to identify and deal with the challenge appropriately, without throwing our hands up in the air.

Without too much emotion (where possible) and deal with it in a more logical fashion.

This can give us a better sense of control over the situation.

Allowing our problem solving skills to go to work.

Because as Leaders, problem solving is one of the major things we do!