We live today in a world of uncertainty and constant change, therefore seeking stability and certainty which is an essential quest of human psychology always remains a question mark. Who we are and who we need to be is continuously fluid. In the yesteryears we saw our grandfathers and uncle strive and attain stability in their careers and lives. Study well, look for a job, settle down and enjoy life with predictable outcomes. Do well in your job. Becoming a GM in a foreign organisation was the acme of one’s professional goals. Company car, driver, your own house, then retire, join an old people’s club, pursue your hobbies, save well and then poof! Suddenly gone from this world.
As the world remains dynamic, our mindset has to keep matching changing challenges to overcome them and remain ahead and relevant in whatever we do. Once a leadership mindset was a sought-after mindset, with its parameters and methods and in the current moment the growship mindset seems to be the emerging shift from leadership. According to a recent article published in the Forbes written by Filomena Di Louise “Traditional leadership skills are inadequate to meet the challenges of this moment. We are navigating a time when fear of failure, anxiety and competition shape behaviour even at the highest levels. This makes it tempting to double down on what feels measurable and tangible. However, by focusing only on what can be tracked, many leaders lose sight of the people, purpose and possibilities that actually sustain growth.”. She further adds “Growship redefines leadership as an ongoing process of becoming curious enough to explore, brave enough to change and humble enough to learn”.
This article inspired me to walk back through my own thoughts that I pen in this column based on my three decades of multi-country life and work experiences. We have spoken in this column about various mindsets- like dynamic, growth, re-growth, SQ, courtesy, EQ, blended, social, positivity, passion…. it’s a long list. However, readers, if we develop a ‘Growship Mindset’ it literally is the mother of all mindsets. Essentially this mindset propels you to literally grow everything that touches you, starting from work to people. Here are the two main forces that create an ecosystem which nourishes a growship environment in the organisation that you lead.
Organisation’s purpose clarity and culture alignment
Where the organisation aims to go and the behaviour which will achieve this goal needs to be logical and well researched. But just to frame this organisation purpose in the walls of the office will not take the organisation there. Inclusivity and employee alignment will. This is where organisation culture alignment to its purpose will literally create purpose in action. After all purpose is constructed carefully to create a differentiator and therefore a winning brand equity. At the end of it all purpose clarity leads to promises made and then of course promises kept. Needless to say, this creates positive moments of truth with customers, building market share and therefore building successful businesses.
Growship in action is about sustained self-evolution
Working environment is infectious. It’s a human trait to pace up to fit a working environment or move out because you don’t fit in. This is the core sifting that the HR team does when it shortlists you and employs you. It’s a science which is termed as ‘organisational fit’. If you look back at the working environments you have operated in or you have visited, each work environment is different and distinctive. There are differences to start with in offices of different domains to start with. An airlines office is different from a telecom company. A professional services firm’s environment is different to an Indian family-owned firm. A growship environment fosters. Innovation, creativity, agility, calm restlessness, curiosity, enthusiasm bubbles are all part of the office environment. Positivity and energy are so strong that it almost hits you on your face!
The Growship mindset will be continued in the next article
“It’s time to evolve leadership into what I call growship, a leadership style powered by the growth mindset.” Filomena Di Luise Forbes Councils Member.
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