Starting to Find Your "Strong Ground" as a Leader

Transformational leadership is lofty and ambitious, but the thought of it can be overwhelming.

Lately, I’ve been shifting my focus toward Grounded Leadership. The recent work of Brené Brown and Brad Stulberg has heavily influenced this evolution in my thinking.

Grounded leadership is the choice to operate from your values, rather than your feelings or your circumstances.

When the storms come, your values act as your anchor—perhaps even more so than your purpose. It requires capacity, skills, and tools. But it starts with having clearly defined values.

The problem is that when we try to define our values, we often go "shopping" from a generic list. Values aren't something you choose off a shelf; they are something you unearth.

You have to mine for your values through deep, intentional reflection to answer the big questions:

• Who are you?

• Who are you not?

• What is most important to you?

Clarity doesn't happen by accident. It requires a process. A great starting point is to look at the people you respect most. As Adam Grant says:

“The best way to find yourself isn't looking inward to see who you are. It's looking outward to see who you admire. Role models help you identify what you value and who you want to become.”

There are several ways to begin this work:

• Reflect on the hard questions and get your answers onto paper where you can actually analyze them.

• Hire a coach to help you explore your values through deep questioning.

• Join a group of people who share a similar curiosity and passion for growth.

Sometimes, you just have to go through some hard sh*t and create the space to reflect on what actually mattered most when the pressure was on.

This is not a simple process. It’s not even a complicated one with a linear set of steps. It’s a complex one. (I recommend listening to this podcast with Daniel Coyle to understand the difference between complicated and complex).

But here is why the work is non-negotiable: Once you have clarity on your values, you have a foundation. Or, as Brené Brown calls it, you have the Strong Ground on which to lead and live.

441:🎯 The Way of Excellence: Mastery, Mattering & Leadership with Brad Stulberg