Next Generation Leaders: The Catalyst Question

​She had a dream – to send her sons to college.
We were developing a new model of economic development for third world countries. Our beta site? A remote village in Tanzania. That’s where I met her. Rebecca – a widow, raising two teenage boys, and taking care of her elderly parents. She was the poorest of the poor.

Yet, she had a dream. Some said it was an impossible dream – to send her sons to college. She had every earthly reason to say, “Oh, poor me.”

Instead, Rebecca asked the catalyst question, “What might I do differently to get the results I want, to send my sons to university?”

Determined to not play the victim, Rebecca decided to cultivate and sell potatoes.This was radical, as this was a job usually reserved for men. During training, she hung on every word about how to grow more and better potatoes, the cash crop of her village.

Rebecca resisted the blame-game with super-human strength.Thus, she charted a new path for her family. What story of courage and Sisu spirit might you share with Next Gen Leaders?

Ask the Catalyst Question is the fourth action step in strengthening your Sisu Spirit.
“If I couldn’t use that excuse, what might I do to get the results I want?”

There are four mindsets to help emerging leaders get the results they want:

When you are caught up in chaos or seemingly impossible challenges, what might you do differently? Action-oriented or excuse-buster questions nurture personal responsibility, which is where the best solutions are found. 

As you’re coaching emerging sales and entrepreneurial leaders, invite them to ask these 4 Excuse-Buster Questions:

• Ownership Mindset:  Examine your input and take responsibility for it – if it’s encouraging, energizing and enlightening, great.  If not, cut it.

Ask: What might I do to improve my listening, reading and discussing choices?

• Action Mindset: Don’t wait for someone else to come up with a solution. Be the first to make some helpful suggestions.

Ask: What might I do differently to embrace a creative solution mindset?

• Innovation Mindset: Prioritize your to-do list and focus on those actions needed to achieve your main goals. Tackle them first, even if they require the most effort.

Ask: What might I do differently to achieve my most important goals?

• Focus Forward Mindset: Learn to look at the big picture. Your most daunting challenge today might become your biggest triumph tomorrow.

Ask: What might I do differently to look beyond the seemingly impossible obstacles in order to get the results I want/need? 

I recommend reading Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Switch on your Brain. She scientifically shows that we have the potential locked up in our magnificently created brains to choose an action-oriented mindset. It’s a choice – mindset that overcomes challenges and turns dreams into realities.

Leadership lesson: Ask action-oriented questions to inspire creative solutions.

Leadership question: How are you encouraging Next Gen leaders to further your business growth and succession strategies in a no-excuse culture?

​​© Copyright Danita Bye, 2016