Vital Leadership Skills to Coach Millennials to Face Everything And Rise (F.E.A.R.) (Influencers Podcast)

Vital Leadership Skills to Coach Millennials to Face Everything And Rise (F.E.A.R.) (Influencers Podcast)

I immediately prioritize the eMail from my friend and colleague, Dave Donaldson, Founder of CityServe. In response to my newsletter, Need Courage to Tackle Your Leadership Mountain? he writes, “This will be a great topic for our Influencers Podcast. Will you join us?”

Of course, I say yes:-) Collaborating with global leaders is one of the delights of my leadership development work. Dave not only endorsed Millennials Matter: Proven Strategies for Building Your Next Gen Leader, but also invited to me to contribute to CityServe: Your Guide to Church-Based Compassion.

During our pre-show conversations, I share with both Dave and Scott Young, c0-hosts with Influencers Podcast, what I’m hearing from leaders:

• “This Era of Exponential Progress is nerve-racking. It’s unsettling for me, as well as for the Next-Gen leaders I coach.”
• “Digital Disruption brings unprecedented challenges. It’s moving at dizzying speed. I’m uncertain if I’m prepared. I wonder how my team is handling all the change.”
• I see mounting stress, anxiety, and depression in the young leaders on my team.  How do I guide them to fight the Fear Pandemic?”

Comments like these inspired me to write the Courageous Leadership series.  In the series, I relate the similarities between my daughter’s Mount Kilimanjaro trek and our leadership challenges. Danae’s mountaineering adventure provides the perfect analogy for the Courageous Leadership series.

When facing challenges, you have a choice. You can:

• Forget Everything and Run, or
• Face Everything And Rise.

If you’re new to the series, you can get all the articles HERE. I trust these action steps equip your team to Face Everything And Rise. 

Here are my “show notes” that I use for planning the interview on Influencers Podcast. I have no idea which ideas Dave and Scott will spotlight. And, I’m not certain when they interview will be released.

So, enjoy the preview of: Vital Leadership Skills to Coach Millennials to Face Everything And Rise (F.E.A.R.)

1. Danita, before we get to Danae’s story, tell us about the Era of Exponential Progress.  What do you mean by that?

It seems that life is changing at the speed of light. It’s in all areas…medical, technological, and financial.

Some financial experts say we’re in an Era of Exponential Progress. It’s exciting for some. For others, it’s one more thing that produces fear and stress.

What does Exponential Progress look like? Here are a few examples…

• Cars drive themselves.
• Robots clean our houses.
• DNA-change kits are available if you don’t like how you’re made.

Then there’s ChatGPT. There are so many positives to ChatGPT in all businesses and industries. And, the downsides are sobering. Our culture, (maybe humanity), could be at stake. 

Plus, MSM and SM headlines fuel a fear frenzy on a daily basis:

• How do we deal with a steady increase in fuel and food prices?
• How might we invest our money when the stock market may crash any moment?
• What do we do with the doom-and-gloom predictions about the future?

Let’s be real – there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world and it impacts all of us. However, I believe it’s especially stressful for our young leaders. 

2. How does this turmoil impact our Next Gen leaders? 

In a recent survey, this is how university students respond to the statement, “I have felt increased stress about….”

• 71%: a loss of social connections, and social isolation. 
• 69%: anxiety or depression. 
• 61%: physical health for me or a family member. 

Fear is at the core of these alarming statistics. Fear sabotages creativity and keeps us stuck. Dr. Mark McDonald, the author of the book, United States of Fear, describes what he observes…“When fear is the predominant emotion, it overpowers every other feeling. It overpowers love. It overpowers hate. It also paralyzes the rational faculties. It also makes it impossible to think.”

Let’s be real. With the craziness happening in our world, it’s easy to get stuck in the Fear Zone. When you do, these are some of the consequences:

Spiritually/Motivationally:

• Focus is scattered.
• Engagement at work drops. 
• Resiliency is compromised. 

Relationally: 

• Relationships and collaboration suffer. 
• Patience and communication deteriorate.
• Trust flies out the window.

Physically: 

• Immunity lowers. 
• Stress hormones slow, or shut down, some body functions.
• Gut health, where most of the immune system resides, is affected.

In contrast, scripture says, “I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”

It is up to us, the seasoned leaders, to guide and coach our young people out of the Fear Zone, into the Learning Zone. Then, they will flourish in the Growth Zone. That’s why your leadership matters now, more than ever before.

3. How do we coach and mentor future leaders today? In the intro, you talked about the leadership lessons embedded in your daughter’s Kilimanjaro experience. When you talk with Danae, what did she learn about moving from the Fear Zone to the Learning Zone and to the Growth Zone?

 

Before Danae tackled Kilimanjaro, she did research to learn why some climbers fail to make it to the top.

These failures provide insights for leading, mentoring, and coaching emerging leaders.

Did you know that 50% of climbers don’t make it to the summit of Kilimanjaro? 50%!  

That astounds me. Here are the 3 reasons: 

1. Wrong route
2. Wrong mindset
3. Wrong guide

 

So, in coaching and mentoring emerging leaders, we can help them find the…

• Right route
• Right mindset
• Right guide

4. That sounds intriguing. Let’s start with the “wrong route.”  What did Danae learn about the “right route”?

For some climbers, the shortest route looks like the “easy route.” Problem – the “easy route” doesn’t allow enough time for their bodies to adapt to the changing conditions. This is what Danae says….

“You start off in Bushland. It’s hot and dry. Then you move through a Rainforest Zone. It’s warm and humid. At 13 000 ft you hit the Moorland Zone, and then the Alpine Desert Zone. With the rise in altitude, animal and plant life all but disappears and it’s getting colder. At 16,500 ft, you’re in the Arctic Zone!”

Some climbers who choose the shortest route, fail due to a lack of oxygen.

So, when we’re coaching Next-Gen leaders, what causes them to have a lack of leadership oxygen? What is their “wrong route?”

It’s a lack of Ownership Mindset.  Our culture is blame-game oriented. We hit a rock in the road, and then point fingers at others and make excuses. Many young leaders haven’t learned to take personal responsibility. And yet, it’s a Biblical principle. 

Unfortunately, in times of chaos, many get stuck in the Fear Zone. The result? A host or unproductive behaviors.

This is where we, as leaders, can be change agents. We invite Next-Gen leaders to develop an Ownership Mindset. My favorite coaching strategy to ask them to challenge themselves with questions like these:

• What might I do to accomplish my goals?
• What might I do to resolve the situation?
• What might I do to take a positive step forward?
• What might I do to (fill in the blank with a desired future outcome)?

This is a solution-oriented question, geared towards sparking ownership. It’s not a finger-pointing question. It’s a question that sparks an Ownership Mindset.

The “right route” is building an Ownership Mindset. 

Top Tip: An Ownership Mindset tackles FEAR by boosting your ability to create a hope-filled vision for a better future.

5. Let’s get to the next Kilimanjaro Leadership Lesson. What is this “wrong mindset” that sabotages some climbers from getting to the top of that mountain? And what is the mindset that sabotages young leaders from reaching their goals and dreams? 

A negative mindset stops some climbers from getting to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.  

The “wrong mindset” traps you in the 3C negative cycle: Criticize, Condemn and Complain. 

• Criticism saps your confidence. You begin doubting that you have the leadership skills to tackle challenges and obstacles.
• Condemning creates confusion. You lose focus on your vision, values, and virtues.
• Complaining crushes your creativity. You lack the creativity and growth mindset to see new opportunities.

A negative mindset impacts your Next-Gen leader on all levels:

• spiritual/motivational,
• relational,
• physical,
• mentally and intellectually, and
• financial.

6. So, how do we coach and mentor young leaders to avoid the “wrong mindset trap?

The climbing gets difficult. Danae fights getting stuck in a negative mindset trap. She says: 

“I always knew that one of the most important attributes to make it to the top is not physical ability. It’s the mindset of believing that you will make it. This is what distinguishes those who make it to the top from those that don’t. I never realized how much I would have to draw on positive thoughts.”

With extreme conditions, Danae is intentional in recognizing and confronting her negative thoughts. Then, she turns them into a driving force that keep her moving forward. 

As a leader of Next-Gens, you can do the same.  We can foster a Grateful Mindset. 

Here are some insights to work through with the young leader you coach. This exercise will remind them of their resources…

Spiritually & Motivationally

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us that we need to be grateful – even when climbing a daunting mountain! “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The key phrase here is…” in all circumstances!” No matter what you’re up against, gratitude is the antidote to a negative mindset. 

 

Relationally

Gratitude enables you to connect on a deeper level with people. You build meaningful social bonds. You stop comparing yourself to others and start respecting each person for their unique gifts. Instead of criticizing, condemning, and complaining about others, you collaborate with them. Everyone benefits.

Physically

Gratitude has a myriad of health benefits. A grateful mindset contributes to a lower heart rate; lower blood pressure; better quality of sleep; and less physical stress! At a time when we are more aware of health and well-being, this is an excellent way to boost your immunity – and it’s free!

Mentally

Gratitude bolsters your self-worth and self-esteem. You become more resilient and less likely to suffer from burnout. Gratitude helps you cope with trauma, and reduces feelings of anger. By eliminating these negative emotions and feelings, you get the energy boost you need to move to the top. (I recommend reading Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy. Psychiatrist, David D. Burns, shares scientifically proven techniques to help you develop a positive outlook on life.) 

Financially

Gratitude is the best investment for your future! When you’re healthy spiritually/motivationally, relationally, physically, and mentally, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll be able to focus on and grow your financial health. 

So, the “right mindset” is a Grateful Mindset. We can empower them to realize these truths:

• That which is meant to break you, can build you.
• That which is meant to destroy you, can deliver you.

Top Tip: A Grateful Mindset tackles FEAR. Gratefulness gives you the energy boost needed to harness your resources.

7. And then we get to the last climbing failure – choosing the “wrong guide.” How can a “right guide” support our future leaders on their growth journey?

A trusted, experienced, and skilled guide is a must-have in the “mountaineering kit” for all adventurers. This is true when you are climbing a literal mountain like Kilimanjaro. It’s also valid when navigating the treacherous terrain in today’s culture.

This is what Danae says: 

“On the final day of our hike, my headlamp goes out. My guide sees this, and without a word, hands me his. During the final hours of our climb, there are times when we get separated. One of the guides stays behind with some of the members to allow them to rest some more. We keep moving step by step for another hour.”

So, how can we, as leaders, be that guide to the young people we coach and mentor? 

It’s about trust. It’s not easy finding a guide whom you can trust. Authentically sharing your weaknesses is scary. Trusting your guide to work with you to overcome them is tough too. That takes courage. So…be trustworthy. Challenge your up-and-coming leaders to be trustworthy too.

In Millennials Matter, I feature my go-to trust expert, David Horsager. His Trust Guidelines, based on the 8 Trust Pillars, are a valuable framework. These are useful when mentoring and coaching emerging leaders. Be the guide who displays these traits. Plus, encourage these traits in your next-gen leaders:

• Clarity: Be clear about your vision, values, and virtues.
• Compassion: Have the other person’s best interest in mind.
• Character-based: Do what is right, over what is easy.
• Competent: Stay fresh, relevant, and innovative.
• Committed: Sacrifice for the greater good.
• Connected: Collaborate and learn from others.
• Contributing: Deliver real results (not just talk).
• Consistent: Be steady and dependable in your attitude, behavior, and approach.

We are fortunate if we find a guide here on earth whom we can trust! As Christian leaders, we have the assurance that our heavenly guide can always be trusted.

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10 NIV)

Top Tip:  Being Trustworthy tackles FEAR. It provides the support needed when challenges become overwhelming.

8. What you’re saying, Danita, is that by coaching our Next Gen Leaders to choose the right route, embrace the right mindset, and work with a trusted guide, they can be leaders of power, love & a sound mind? We don’t need to be leaders dominated by Fear?

Our leadership matters – now more than ever. In heeding these Kilimanjaro Leadership Lessons, we empower the Millennials on our teams. We can coach them to move from the Fear Zone to the Learning Zone, so that they can thrive in the Growth Zone! 

In conclusion, I’d like to share how Danae summarized her Kilimanjaro experience…

“I look at my friends. This is a perfect moment. This is the moment I will think about long into the future. A moment that defines me as being “Kichwa Moto” (my Tanzanian nickname, meaning stubborn – not willing to give up on myself. and not willing to give up on the people around me.) 

At this moment I realize that when people believe in each other and push each other, mighty things happen.”

These are tumultuous times! Era of Exponential Progress. Digital Disruption. We can climb the mountains alongside our Millennials and future leaders. We can do the following:

1. Ownership: Guide them towards the “right route” of taking ownership, vs. blaming others.
2. Gratitude: Encourage them to focus on developing the “right mindset,” one that focuses on the positive and finding innovative solutions.
3. Trust: Be the “right guide,” a guide whom they can trust to never give up on them. 

And, we equip them to…..Face Everything And Rise.

P.S. Here’s the list of Courage Leadership articles: 

• Leadership Strategy Insights from Courageously Taking On Mount Kilimanjaro
• A Courageous Character Keeps Your Leadership Development Journey on Track
• Gratitude Builds Courage to Confidently Turn Scary Times into Leadership Development Adventures
• How to Courageously Connect to Improve Your Leadership Performance
• How Courage Enables You to Reach the Top of Every Leadership Development Mountain

Copyright 2023, Danita Bye. All rights reserved.

This article was featured in my July 2023 Newsletter. Get your copy HERE.