On the edge of transformation.
In the fast-paced world of business, how often have you found yourself leading on the edge of transformation? A new product, a new merger, a new hiring process, a new leadership practice —the list goes on. If you’re standing still, you’re falling behind. To lead in today’s environment, you have to be willing to take the jump without having all the information and you have to trust your team to do the same.
“Stand in the door” is the last thing I would say to a military jump student before they initiated their sequence to begin their 10-second freefall. I would hold onto their harness while they physically put as much of their body into the airstream as possible. Once I gave them the “go” command, they’d stare right into the propeller as they let go of the plane.
Similarly in business and in leadership, “standing in the door” signifies those occasions when you’re on the edge of making a substantial commitment. It can feel terrifying and exhilarating—the same sensation you get when you think about jumping out of an airplane. It’s a moment fraught with responsibility and risk but also filled with the possibility for success and transformation.
So how do you prepare for these “stand in the door” opportunities?
Build a high-performance culture where people feel safe taking calculated risks. Use the M.O.V.E. U.P. framework below as a quick audit of what’s working, what’s not, and adjust course.
Meet Them Where They Are
Meeting people where they are is the first step towards fostering high performance. Acknowledge the unique skill set and perspective each person brings to the team. Understand where they are starting from and help them move forward from there. Remember, everyone is at a different point of their unique journey.
Onboarding
It’s not just when someone is new to the company, it’s also when starting a new initiative, someone is new to your team, or you’re new to your role. You get one chance for a first impression. Use this opportunity to get to know them and make them part of the team. Build a strong foundation of trust right upfront.
Vulnerability
Continue to build trust by being vulnerable and creating space for your team to do the same. Make mistakes. Use your stories to inspire, motivate, and teach. Show up every day as your full, human self. Model the risk taking you want to see from your team to meet your goals.
Environment
Your surroundings determine your reality. Make the data that shows how your team contributes to strategic goals visible. Allow for different working styles. Think about how someone might receive feedback and adjust–Go for a walk, grab coffee, or sit next to them instead of across from them.
Understanding
In order to get the most innovative solutions, your team needs to feel safe to bring their full selves to work. There will be times when they don’t know what they’re doing, something is happening at home, or they have made a mistake. Assume positive intent, get curious, and coach them.
Processes
Systems and processes can get a bad rap for being rigid and bureaucratic but when used correctly, they free up resources and unlock creativity. Build in the right level of checklists, SOPs, workflows, etc. to help your team soar, e.g. pilots use checklists every time they fly to free up brain power to make decisions that truly matter.
When you find yourself “standing in the door” on the edge of possibility, the nerves will still be there but you’ll have the culture in place to take the jump anyway. Transformation is just on the other side.
Download your printable M.O.V.E. U.P. framework here.
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Experience leading on the edge and “stand in the door” in a safe and controlled environment. Join me December 5th to 7th in Colorado Springs for a 3-day, in-person leadership transformation & indoor skydiving experience. Shoot me an email at hello@tanyaannechavez.com for details.
