Are you willing to embrace the discomfort?

There is a saying that goes “how good your leadership will become is determined by how uncomfortable you are willing to feel”.

Leadership is not just about guiding others to success.  On a personal level it is a journey of growth and self-development. Often, the most significant growth comes from stepping out of our comfort zone. Being able to sit in discomfort is a crucial component of effective leadership, what it teaches us about ourselves, and how it can radically improve our leadership skills.

Leadership inherently involves elements of discomfort because it requires continual adaptation, facing unknowns or things we can’t control, and making decisions that affect entire teams and organisations. From public speaking and delivering tough feedback to making unpopular decisions or navigating organisational change, the demands of leadership push us into areas that can feel genuinely uncomfortable.

Where Challenge meets Opportunity

Our traditional ways of doing things that have got us to where we are now are not necessarily the same behaviours that will make us successful in the future.  Leadership can require a whole new level of people skills, self-awareness and emotional intelligence.  Discomfort throughout this transition can force us to confront our limitations and biases, providing deep insights into our strengths and areas for improvement.  It's a mirror reflecting what we need to address within ourselves, and we may be looking into it for the first time.

Can we reframe this challenge as an opportunity.  Uncomfortable situations challenge us to reevaluate and adapt our leadership style. What works in one scenario may not be effective in another, providing us with a catalyst to develop and grow our tool kit in order to be versatile and responsive.

Whilst we are navigating this, there are the challenges being encountered by our brains.  Our brains are wired to seek comfort and avoid risk, but leadership often demands behaviours that may have associated risk or engage in a way that we perceive as a threat to our short term safety.  This clash can be mentally exhausting but also incredibly rewarding as it encourages mental flexibility and resilience.

How to step into discomfort and stay there.

Every instance of discomfort is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and your approach to leadership. It might reveal hidden biases, trigger innovative ideas, or highlight the need for new strategies or skills. Embracing these moments rather than shying away from them can be a catalyst for personal growth and enhance your effectiveness.

• Recognise what you are avoiding, or what is keeping you in your comfort zone.  This is your trigger for stepping into discomfort, remind yourself it’s leading you to your next phase of growth.
• Remember discomfort is not a permanent state.  The more we practice a new skill or behaviour, the easier it will become.
• Focus on the impact of the discomfort.  Updating your knowledge and skills makes you better equipped to handle new challenges.  What will the reward be for you?
• Learn and practice strategies and techniques to recognise and manage the discomfort. These tools can help maintain clarity and calmness when facing leadership and life pressures.
• Actively build your resilience by gradually exposing yourself to uncomfortable situations. Start small and increase the stakes as your confidence grows.
• Talk it out.  Having a mentor, peer, or coach you can bounce off when you are in an uncomfortable situation. This external perspective can be invaluable for growth and clarity to keep going.

The willingness to be uncomfortable signals a readiness to grow, learn, and adapt.  By embracing the discomfort that comes with leadership, you not only enhance your capabilities but also set a powerful example for your team.  When the going gets uncomfortable, give this gentle reminder to your brain, the more uncomfortable you are willing to be, the better you will become.