Recently I was trying to replace the batteries in my wireless mouse and couldn’t get the cover off—again. I had struggled with this same task previously (trying paper clips, pens, X-ACTO knives, scissors, brute force, etc.), but this time it was different. I stopped trying to fight it and sat back, relaxing the frustration.
“Certainly,” I said to myself, “a massively successful company such as Apple would not make replacing batteries in a mouse for a Mac difficult. Everything Steve Jobs designed was about elegance.” That shifted my focus. If taking this cover off is super easy, what is the secret?
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Voilà!… I moved the little black button in the opposite direction without pressing down, and the thin metal cover popped off effortlessly. The answer had been there all along!
The solution was sitting there, just waiting for me to welcome it. Amazing, right? But in our struggle, solutions evade us.
EQ and Leadership: Stop Struggling and Listen!
In our professional lives, we usually have a pretty good idea of the success and outcomes we want. However, many times, we try to force things, like I was with the mouse cover. When we kick against thorns, we get poked. We are not in our hearts, nor are we utilizing the amazing power of our minds. To lead from within in leadership requires us to trust that the answer is always present—we just need to be open to it. Sit until the mud settles and the answer rises.
In our busy lives with high stakes and high stresses, this is easier said than done. Or is it?
It is all a matter of perspective. Whatever we believe is what we will look for. Whatever we look for will influence our perceptions, which in turn will impact our behavior, our experience, and the outcome. As soon as I shifted my attention and my perspective when removing the mouse cover, it popped off easily—after struggling several times before. This is the power of heart and attention combined.
Related Reading: "Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in Leadership."
Raising Self-Awareness as Your Business Grows
So as you ponder your growing business, the effectiveness of your leadership, or the possibilities of gaining more value or responsibility in your company or workplace, what answer is present right now that you are missing? The key you’re searching for lies in your own heart, but you may be missing it because you’re looking elsewhere. Or resisting an answer that seems too simple.
In my twenty-five years in business, I have come to trust that I’m usually going against the current when something is difficult.
When we try to swim or row upriver rather than jump in the flow and accelerate through the current's momentum, we work against ourselves. Sometimes we think that leadership comes only from our intellect, and when things don't work, we just need to push harder—no pain, no gain, as they say.
However, it is so much more fun, tremendously easier, and more effective when we relax into the flow and trust our intuition. When we are listening to the wisdom of our hearts, new ideas and solutions step forward.
It's important to use both our head and our heart in business and leadership.
Deep Dive: "Why Companies Fail without Leaders with Emotional Intelligence."
Successful Leadership in Business Begins by Leading Ourselves
To lead wisely, you'll need to practice listening to yourself.
I invite you to observe the little and big interactions you have throughout your day:
- Are you moving with ease or struggling?
- Do you keep yourself encouraged and motivated?
- Can you direct your actions according to priorities?
- Are you utilizing the resources you have at hand to complete a project effectively?
- Are your dealings with colleagues easy and collaborative, or are they filled with conflict?
Just like I was struggling with the mouse cover unnecessarily while the answer was there all along, we sometimes push or pull so hard that we forget to allow and pay attention to what truly matters. So when you catch yourself filling up with frustration or angst, STOP, breathe and relax. Release attachment and stress. Put your attention on what you want, set the intention for ease, and let your heart lead.
Related reading: "Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in Leadership."
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