When faced with a frustrating situation at work, it’s easy to jump to conclusions, assign meaning to someone else’s actions, or take things personally. But what if you had the power of choice to shift your perspective and create something better – not just for your work, but for your entire leadership journey?
In this episode of The C-Suite Mentor, I unpack a concept that’s relevant for every business leader, entrepreneur, and team manager: the power of choice. Drawing from a recent coaching conversation, I share how choosing how we interpret a situation – and how we respond – can either limit our growth or propel us forward.
Are You Avoiding Pain or Moving Toward Growth?
Many of us are unknowingly operating from a place of avoidance. We make choices to prevent failure, protect ourselves from embarrassment, or maintain a sense of control. But those choices often block us from seeing other perspectives, being open to change, or truly stepping into leadership.
On the flip side, when we make choices that move us toward something – a goal, a vision, a better version of ourselves – we tap into curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.
Most people are either moving away from pain or moving toward something they want. But when we choose to move toward something, we start to build from the inside out.
The Danger of Assigning Meaning
In both leadership and life, we often interpret others’ actions as reflections of our own value. For example, if a team leader reworks your design, you might think they don’t trust your judgment or value your work. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, it’s just a different idea or preference – and it doesn’t have to mean anything about you.
I’ve launched early in my business that didn’t work out. Instead of tweaking the strategy, I started believing that I was the failure. It wasn’t until I chose to shift my thinking that things began to change.
Find Your “Sixth Gear” and Embrace the Power of Choice
The sixth gear is that inner drive that kicks in when you’re ready to give up. It’s the voice that tells you to keep going, to keep trying, and to choose better thoughts even when things don’t go your way.
Sometimes the extra mile doesn’t mean working harder. It means choosing to think differently. It means being curious instead of defensive. Open instead of shut down.
In leadership, this matters more than ever. It’s easy to join in on complaints or dwell in frustration. But great leaders don’t unite over drama – they unite over growth, curiosity, and the willingness to try again.
The Power of Choice: Build from the Inside Out
Ultimately, our self-worth shouldn’t come from a successful project, a compliment from a boss, or how smoothly things go. It should come from within – our unique experiences, our drive, our heart, and our willingness to grow.
When we stop basing our self-worth on circumstances, we unlock the freedom to lead with clarity and confidence. And that’s the kind of leadership the world needs right now.
Get Personalized Help
Want one-on-one help? Book a free virtual coffee chat with me and let’s talk through where you’re stuck, your business needs, and how we can start building a stronger foundation for you and your team.
Looking to improve employee engagement, build connections with your customers and get the freedom to finally take a vacation? Get access to my special, secret podcast Lead with Soul where I dive deep into what you can do to avoid the most common pitfalls in leadership while building a high performing team and a business that thrives no matter what the economy is doing. Head on over to https://theresacantley.com/lead-with-soul/ to join the movement!
Resources Mentioned
☕️ Schedule a Virtual Coffee with Theresa
🎙️ Get access to my secret podcast Lead with Soul
💻 Join me every Friday at 10 am on LinkedIn for my free workshop
📝 Uncover Your Biggest Blindspots with the Entrepreneur Quiz
Related Episodes
Embracing Being Human: How to Keep Going When Success Feels Out of Reach with Deanna Pelley
Build a Strong Foundation: Why Your Team Isn’t Engaged and How to Get Better Employee Engagement
