Leadership requires constant effort and difficulty, and it can be difficult to find the motivation needed to stay on track and make progress. “There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time” captures the essence of how leaders should approach challenges. Rather than trying to tackle overwhelming goals all at once, leaders should break them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. How do you do it?
- Notice your blocks and write them down. Get comfortable with the block. Acknowledge it.
- Ask yourself “Where is one place I can start?” and then without judgment start there.
- Start very small: If you were to train for a marathon and you still couldn’t run a 5k, would you force yourself to run 12 miles right away?
- Did I mention starting!?
- In time, get comfortable with change. Soon it won’t feel like change, it’ll be a habit.
As Theodore Roosevelt once said: “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” You are doing THE THING by taking a bite from the elephant, you won’t regret it.
Is coaching right for you?
If you read above and thought “all the time”, some additional support may be in order. Why coaching?
- It Enhances Your Awareness: Leadership coaching helps you identify areas of strength and weakness. You can learn to leverage your strengths, develop more effective communication strategies and be aware of the impact of your decisions on those around you.
- It Enables Professional Growth: Leadership coaching provides tools, frameworks and guidance that can help you become a better leader and achieve success in your career.
- It Boosts Confidence: Working with a leadership coach will help build confidence and trust within yourself as a leader. You can also gain insight into how to better interact with and motivate others, leading to improved relationships with colleagues and subordinates alike.
Progress in leadership does not come from force or perfection, but from the willingness to start small and stay with the work when it feels uncomfortable. When leaders commit to steady effort, reflection, and support, difficult things become habits and growth stops feeling overwhelming.