Before you can become a grounded, transformational leader, you must go through one or more transformations of your own. In my previous blog post, I described six of the more common transformational events in the typical leader’s life. I think it is important to make leaders aware of the types of changes they are likely to go through on their way to reaching their full potential. But I also recognize that it’s crucial to let leaders know how to sense when — and how — transformation should happen.

In this article, I want to describe the signs leaders can look for to determine if they are ready to go through a transformation. Most leaders sense these signs, but they do not always know how to read them. Or they simply do not know how to connect them with their leadership evolution.

Developing Mindful Awareness

I will get into my list of signs shortly, but first I want to discuss the importance of developing mindful awareness. Yes, I write and talk about the power of mindfulness a lot, but trust me — it’s for good reason! I believe developing mindful awareness is the key that unlocks an amazing amount of leadership potential.

Mindful awareness makes it possible for leaders to tune in more closely to the status of their own careers. It allows hem to gain a more accurate feel for what is required of them within their respective organizations, as well. But most importantly, it gives leaders the ability to adjust, tweak, enhance — and transform — their ability to drive their people and organizations to success.

Developing your own sense of mindful awareness will require you to do some internal work. I’ve described some approaches to building your awareness here and here, but I encourage you to be creative when developing the practice that works best for you.

It’s not about shutting off your mind; rather, it is about developing an ability to notice your thoughts and become more highly attuned to what is happening around you. Crucially, developing your sense of mindful awareness will help you build more space and time between your thoughts and actions, which gives you the ability to enhance and evolve your leadership in a more deliberate and effective fashion. When you become more mindful and aware, you are much less likely to act rashly or make regrettable snap decisions. Instead, you allow yourself the opportunity to formulate the most appropriate, thoughtful response for any given situation, stimulus or scenario.

Your mindful awareness will help you immensely as you seek out the following signs of forthcoming transformation!

#1 — You Are Not Satisfied

Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on the reason or reasons why, but there is a growing feeling of professional dissatisfaction inside you. Sometimes it manifests as a numb feeling. Other times it shows up in the form of irritability or frustration.

When you feel dissatisfaction in your role asa leader, it means that you have come to a crossroads in your career. You can keep going with the status quo and probably enjoy your job security if you are competent at what you do. But the dissatisfaction with your work will continue until you transform.

Noticing your lack of satisfaction is the first step on your way to making positive changes. So if you have been feeling fed up with your role, don’t try to ignore the feeling or push it aside.Instead, sit with the feelings as they arise, and pay attention to how they make you feel. You will realize that you are powerful enough to handle these feelings — they don’t have to control you! When you can truly hold and feel your feelings of dissatisfaction, you can become empowered to make the changes and transformations necessary to move your leadership to a new level.

#2 — You Like What Other Leaders Are Doing

Sometimes the best leadership wisdom comes from paying attention to what other leaders are doing.

Read the following questions and see if they resonate to you:

• Do you find yourself noticing and admiring the skills and approaches demonstrated by other leaders in your network?
• Are you feeling particularly inspired by stories of dynamic leaders in the news?
• Have you found yourself wishing you had certain qualities that other leaders possess?

 If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it could be a sign that your leadership style or approach requires transformation.

Many leaders find themselves looking up to others, but they aren’t sure how to transform. They want to remain authentic and true to themselves, but they also want to emulate the amazing innovations they see from other leaders.

If this describes you, I encourage you to continue exploring the ideas and innovations that impress you about other leaders. You don’t need to copy others. Rather, I suggest that you take time to consider how you can incorporate the ideas you like into your own personal leadership style.

As you consider the qualities and aspects that impress you about other leaders, you should envision what the transformed version of you looks like. What will you do differently? What will change interms of how you interact with people? What will the new scope and perspective of your leadership be? If you can easily envision yourself shifting into a new version of yourself, inspired by leaders you admire, the time has come to transform.

#3 — People Keep Expecting More From You and Your Leadership

If you are doing a great job as a leader, helping your team hit its targets and driving positive developments for the bottom line, you may feel like you’ve reached the peak of your powers.

And yet, your success has team members and others within your organization wondering what more you can do. Don’t take offense at this! This is not a rebuke of your leadership or a judgment against your ability to make good things happen. In fact, it is the opposite: It is a sign that your excellence as a leader should be spread wider, deeper and farther.

Again, this is no time for continuation of the status quo! When you notice that others are expecting more from you and your leadership, it’s a clear sign that transformation is around the corner.

How can you do more, lead more effectively and meet expectations, whether they are yours or not? How can you shift your leadership into a new gear without losing what makes you so good in your role?In this case, you have to trust the direction that the world seems to be pushing you toward. Others have placed their belief in you and your abilities.It’s time now to believe in yourself.

It is crucial, however, to keep in mind the importance of boundaries. Your mindfulness and awareness practices will help you recognize your limits, which will make it easier for you to say “no” when appropriate. People want to see you shine your brightest, but you cannot allow yourself to shine so brightly that you burn out. This is an essential aspect of grounded, transformative leadership.

What Signs Have You Seen?

Have you been feeling like a change is imminent with your leadership? Have you noticed any of the three signs I highlighted above? What other signs of leadership transformation have you noticed?

I would love to hear what you think about this important leadership issue, so please reach out by sending me an email at joanne.trotta@leadersedgeinc.ca or giving me a call at 1-855-871-3374.