There are patterns in people’s leadership behaviors. Thus, in this Expert Insight Interview, Darcy Luoma discusses how to overcome obstacles that stand in the way to achieving peak performance. Darcy Luoma is the creator of the “Thoughtfully Fit” leadership model, leadership coach, professional speaker, and author.
The interview discusses:
- Engaging your core
- Internal practices
- Agility
- Stretching for acceptance
The Core
In every physical exercise, strengthening your core muscles is essential. Thus, metaphorically speaking, engaging your mental core creates stronger relationships and reduces conflicts. The key is to pause, think, and act. Since the internet allowed us immediate and reactive responding, many people need to relearn how to pause and think. For example, imagine getting a triggering email from your boss. Make a pause and think about why this email makes you feel that way. After you stopped and thought about it, now you can act more consciously when replying.
We all have triggers that usually go back to our childhood, and until we recognize them, they will continue to come back to us in different situations. Making a pause enables you to think and look for other choices you have and things you control.
Internal Practices
We live in such a fast-paced world that we tend to forget how essential it is to take some time for ourselves. Being alone and focusing on your thoughts and ideas makes you mentally well-rested and more productive. Make a pause and think about all the things you automatically say yes to when someone asks you. Do you really want to do those things? Do you consider doing them as good use of your time? And do those things align with your values? It is again about choice and control. If you do not think doing that would be the best choice for you, you should say no to it.
Agility
Many people say yes automatically because of the fear of being disliked or not fulfilling the expectations. Especially during the pandemic, we experience many challenges and much anxiety. Thus, agility is the practice of intentional and thoughtful responding at the moment instead of unconscious reacting.
Acceptance
Being flexible enough to accept others how they are and not how you would want them to be is a big challenge for many. Instead of trying to change people or be mad at them for not acting a certain way, choose to be flexible, let go of it, and be happy. Practice finding a mental place that is the best use of your time and energy. It makes you calmer under pressure. Start with small steps to build your confidence, and then gradually move to bigger things.
Our Host
John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.
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