I started my work life under the umbrella of Singularity University delving into how exponential technologies like AI, robtics, 3D printing, nanotech, biotech, etc can uplift humanity and meet the needs of every man, woman, and child.
Over the last few years, my career has shifted focus from the exponential paradigm to the regenerative one.
Many of the lessons I learned studying and working with exponential technologies still apply.
It honestly feels eerie — like a clear red thread is emerging that connects my early career, which was all about tech to my current focus areas on the future of food, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
In fact, I see a wild number of parallels between the techno vs nature based conversation around abundance.
One of them being the abundance mindset, which Tony Robbins defines as:
The belief that there are enough resources in the world for everyone – and of being grateful for whatever the universe provides.
It's all about the power of positive thinking.
And yes, to successfully bring a new initiative into reality, does require a level of delusional thinking.
You have to focus on what is working and how each step brings you closer to your goals.
You have to dare to dream of a different reality.
But as a leader, it's impossible to be positive 100% of the time.
To be honest, it’s unrealistic.
Yet, this is the standard most leaders are held to and that we hold ourselves to.
This is what I work with many of my coaching clients on. They are all incredibly visionary leaders AND they need help holding their vision through the highs and the lows. It’s up to us to define what being a leader means and move through our own sh*t so that we can rise.
Let me take an example from my own journey.
As an executive and leader, I feel like I am supposed to have all the answers. To keep the calm in the storm. To see the forest through the trees.
To miraculously turn scarcity into abundance, fear into optimism, and consistently identify problems to solve.
Most days I do a great job at playing the part 👍
But behind closed doors I feel guilt and shame when I have a bad day.
I think, “I should know better!” or “It’s not going fast enough!” or “Do better!”
I hold myself to unrealistic standards and beat myself up for not thinking more positively, seeing the good, or generally staying in a state of optimism.
When I have a bad day, I rush to get back into an abundance mindset as fast as possible. This is what I was taught to do. I feel like a failure if I stay in a low spot that I can't quite shake.
Coaching has helped me to move through this and realize that more often than not, I am my own worst critic.
Over time, I’ve learned that when feelings up guilt or shame come up - that’s good!
These emotions are teachers and they have something to tell me.
They invite me to pause, explore, and understand what's in these shadows so that they can be healed.
Only when I process the negativity and let go of the scarcity can I move back into abundance.
The good news is that with each go around, I get better at processing the negative. It’s like a building a muscle, each rep makes me stronger.
And I’ve come to believe that every single leader needs to have someone in their corner helping them to move through the journey.
What do you think?
PS: Are you looking for someone to support you on your journey? I’m an executive leadership coach for visionaries working on the future of food. Fill out the form below to book a 30 min chemistry call with me to see if we’re a fit to work together.