The Busy Leader's Handbook

11Embracing Discomfort:

Why Allowing Yourself to Be Unsettled Makes You a Better Leader

People wish to be settled; only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote sums up why it is so difficult being in any role that involves people and performance.

Over the years, as I have spoken to and interacted with many individuals and groups, I have recommended various actions that, if implemented, would improve performance and lead to better results. Quite often I get pushback. A common response I hear is, “I am not comfortable doing that.” But the truth is, much of a leader’s job is spent being uncomfortable and leading others through discomfort as well.

The challenge is that marketplaces shift. Customer needs evolve. New technology emerges. Employees come and go. All of these factors mean that what once worked for your business might not be working now—or at least not as well as it once did. There may be lots of room for improvement. All of this means there is going to be disruption. It’s natural and inevitable. And it’s far better for your company to disrupt itself than to let the marketplace force changes on you. If you wait and a competitor takes all the business, it will be too late! Being proactive, not reactive, will also let you strategize and better control the process.

A good example of self-disruption is finding ways to differentiate yourself from competitors. This can feel uncomfortable to people. For example, I often suggest ...