Challenger Safety! [#10 in Burned Out Series]

I think I can finally say it … I am over burn out.

You know how I know? My natural tendency to navigate challenge well is back in a healthy place!

Challenge can manifest naturally through opposing viewpoints, conflicting opinions, or obstacles to understanding (AKA blindspots). It can be intellectual, emotional, or practical. Strong leaders will navigate challenge with active listening, empathy, open-mindedness, and effective communication skills. They view challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning because it can lead to better understanding and stronger relationships.

I recently had a series of conversations with a couple of leaders in which I was asked to share my opinions based on my leadership development expertise, experience with their leaders, and assessment of contributing factors to known issues within the organization. Some would call it consulting, others might say I was asked to “challenge” their thinking.

I was confident in what I had prepared to share, understood some of the information I would provide might be a bit challenging for them to hear, and entered the conversation with empathy for their situation. During the conversation, I pressed in on a key issue that I had identified, and the leaders reacted quite differently than I had expected. It piqued my curiosity, so I pressed in again. After all, I had been asked to share my opinion. The leaders flared up. So, I moved on. The leaders did not. Later in the conversation, they brought it back up again. We chatted briefly about it, and I thought it was resolved. 

In the next conversation, the tables turned, and I was no longer the consultant. I was on trial. They made false assumptions about my background, they questioned my motives, and they wanted me to break my ethical standards. I was attacked. I probably looked “wounded” in that meeting. I was completely caught off guard when they attacked me. Blindsided by their character in the moment. All because I pressed in on the key issue. I had hit a lightning rod issue without even knowing it. In hindsight, not a wise move. Yet, not so unwise, that I deserved to be treated that way. Quite frankly, it was a horrendous conversation. Yet, I survived.

Who really won that battle?

I did.

I navigated the challenge well. I am in a healthy place.

To be fair, they may have won too. They cut off communication with me. J.

I am good with the outcome.

It proved to me that I am out of burn out. I navigated an extremely difficult situation well. I was able to quickly recover from an unforeseen setback. I am in a healthy place.

In this time of Thanksgiving. I am truly thankful for this year. Burn out is no fun. Yet, it can be used to restore and revive a beautiful life. Beauty out of ashes. 

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What’s Your Hardiness Level?

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Tips to Create Challenger Safety