Empower, Transform, Outperform – The Art of Personal Renewal and Success

During my usual self-reflection, inspired by the lull in year end festivities, I was struck by how this obligatory annual moment is the ideal opportunity to reinvigorate our personal power and set up the conditions for activating other transformative powers.  During the early weeks of the new year, we are perfectly primed for transformation. The very best leaders are experts at self- renewal and no doubt maximise these natural opportunities.

1.      Personal Power: This year-end internal dialogue can often jar with uncomfortable truths, as we weigh up our outcomes for the previous year. However, with a little positive self-talk, these anxieties are soon followed by an outward facing vision and exciting new ideas on how to step up our game.   When we gain greater clarity and belief in our ability to impact, our natural strengths, personality and convictions, we paradoxically become less self-conscious, we tune into our purpose and communicate with heightened confidence; we become more open to change, setting the stage for transformational shifts within our teams and organizations. Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, exemplifies personal power. His adventurous spirit of renewal, resilience, and risk taking have been key factors in his success and the growth and diversification of the Virgin brand.

2.      Goal Power: Self-renewal directly impacts our ability to set and pursue freshly relevant, and irresistible goals. We are more likely to create a compelling vision and inspire the team to work with us. A great example is the relentless spirit of renewal, the commitment to innovation and exploration displayed by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX,  reflected in the compelling vision he sets for his companies, inspiring teams to work towards ambitious goals.

3.      Process Power:  Using self-assessment opportunities to teach and transform makes us better equipped to decipher the success code, assess risks, and make informed strategic choices; this increases our ability to consider long-term implications, lead through, and adapt to evolving circumstances. Jeff Bezos, founder, and former CEO of Amazon emphasized a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement at Amazon. The company's commitment to processes like "Day 1" thinking and its focus on learning from failures demonstrate Bezos’s approach to using success and failure to teach.  

4.      People Power: When we renew ourselves, we positively influence how we interact with and lead our teams. We exhibit empathy, heightened emotional intelligence, and inspiring communication, which mobilizes people power. Who better than the late Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, to illustrate the mobilization of people power. His life story is testament to the power of personal renewal, following which he was able to inspire and unite people from various backgrounds, races, and ethnicities toward a common goal of equality, justice, and reconciliation.

5.      Culture Power: As leaders undergo personal transformation our renewed behaviour and focus on values, ethics, and personal development shapes and reinforces organizational culture, driving performance momentum. Amazon’s leadership principles, customer obsession, and long-term thinking are reflective of Bezos’s passion and influence on shaping a culture which activated a flywheel of unstoppable growth.

6.      Staying Power: Self-renewal also makes leaders better equipped to persevere through setbacks, and provide sustained leadership over the long term. Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, was able to retain fresh and relevant leadership through various crises. Her success over a long political career was marked by her ability to navigate challenges with sustained calm and thoughtful leadership, and a talent for reflection and regrouping.

7.      Smart Power: Reflection helps great leaders to confidently influence through smart power, that is, the frequent use of soft power - a more indirect approach, and the very selective use of hard power - a directive approach.    They are more tuned in to relationships and better at capturing hearts and minds. Nelson Mandela's approach to leadership involved reflecting long on hard on how to build strong relationships, foster empathy, and encourage collaboration. Through his charisma, vision, and commitment to inclusivity, he mobilized the collective power of people to bring about significant change. His leadership style is perhaps the most powerful example of leveraging smart power to achieve transformative outcomes.

Amplify YOUR Personal Power

So you see, when we continuously renew ourselves, we are in good company. The process can initiate a powerful cascade of positive changes across all aspects of a leaders professional and personal life, setting the stage for transformative leadership, and organizational success.

As you embark on 2024, amplify YOUR personal power to catalyse your success. Find the right tool to give you greater self-insight, help you connect better with your team and your stakeholders, and break through fixed attitudes and habits to reveal possibilities that you still don’t realise you have.

How prepared are you to activate the seven powers and outperform your peers?

Follow this link to complete our free Outperforming Leader scorecard and turbo boost your career. https://susierowvcf7n.scoreapp.com  #LeadershipQuiz #PersonalPower #BusinessSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment

Susie Robinson