The Power of Centered Leadership:

In the dynamic and rapidly shifting landscape of modern business, navigating change is not just an asset—it's an essential skill for leadership. Industries must evolve at an unprecedented pace, driven by intelligent automation, technological advancements, market disruptions, and shifting consumer expectations. Industry leaders must possess the agility to adapt quickly and effectively, combined with the capacity to steer through these changes with confidence and foresight. Skillful steering is what distinguishes successful executives and entrepreneurs from the rest. This adaptability is crucial, as it enables leaders to manage the immediate challenges of change and anticipate and leverage opportunities that arise from it, ensuring their organizations' long-term resilience and growth.

Mark Susnow, CEO of Inspire Possibility and an experienced executive life coach, emphasizes the importance of living from one's center as the foundation for effective leadership. In a recent interview, Susnow shared valuable insights on how upper-level executives and high-level entrepreneurs can harness the power of centeredness, gratitude, and curiosity to navigate change and make impactful decisions.

“Living from your center allows you to navigate change with clarity and balance, making you a better decision-maker and a more effective leader.” - Mark Susnow, CEO of Inspire Possibility

Living from the center is more than just a metaphor; it is a modern-day practical approach to leadership. Susnow explains, "Imagine you're driving your car without shock absorbers. Every bump in the road is magnified, and everything feels exaggerated because you're out of balance. But when you're centered, the bumps in the road are hardly noticeable—you have a smooth ride." This analogy resonates deeply with the challenges faced by executives who are often overwhelmed by the demands of their roles. When leaders are out of balance, they struggle to see, make poor decisions, and overreact to situations.

At the heart of this centered approach is the ability to start the day with intention. Susnow believes that how you begin your day sets the tone for everything that follows. "If you start your day in a hurry, you'll feel all day long like you can't catch up," he notes. In contrast, taking time in the morning to center yourself—whether through meditation, quiet reflection, or simply setting positive intentions—can lead to a much smoother and more productive day. This practice can be the difference for executives between reacting to circumstances and proactively leading with clarity and purpose.

A key element of living from the center is cultivating a gratitude practice. According to Susnow, gratitude is the second principle of navigating change. "Gratitude shifts your focus from what you don't have to what you do have. It's a universal principle that what you focus on expands," he explains. By focusing on the positive aspects of life and work, leaders can reduce stress and foster a more optimistic outlook, leading to better decision-making. This emphasis on the role of gratitude in reducing stress and enhancing well-being can reassure and comfort leaders in the face of challenges.

Adopting a gratitude practice often requires a perspective transformation. Society and media often condition us to focus on negativity and what is lacking. Susnow acknowledges this challenge but emphasizes the power of repetition and behavior cultivation. He believes that it's about learning a new habit so that your default position becomes positive rather than negative. By consistently practicing gratitude, leaders can rewire their thinking to naturally gravitate toward positivity, leading to a more constructive and proactive approach to leadership. This emphasis on the role of repetition and behavior cultivation can make leaders feel empowered and in control of their mindset and outlook.

The third principle Susnow highlights is curiosity. In an age where information is readily available, the natural curiosity that drives innovation and growth can sometimes be stifled. However, Susnow encourages leaders to rekindle their curiosity by integrating it into their daily routine. He suggests starting the day with quiet reflection, followed by asking a simple yet powerful question: "I wonder what the highlight of my day is going to be." This practice not only fosters a sense of anticipation and excitement but also encourages leaders to approach their day with a mindset of discovery and possibility, keeping them engaged and motivated. For instance, leaders can set aside time for learning about a new industry trend, exploring a different perspective on a current issue, or engaging in a brainstorming session with their team to encourage curiosity and innovation.

According to Susnow, curiosity creates positive expectations. As leaders go through their day, this mindset leads them to seek out and recognize the good in their experiences, further reinforcing their centeredness and optimism. "My biggest challenge," Susnow remarks, "is deciding which of the two or three good choices will be the highlight of my day." This shift from focusing on potential pitfalls to anticipating positive outcomes can be transformative for leaders, enabling them to navigate challenges with resilience and creativity.

Susnow emphasizes the significance of curiosity in leadership with unwavering conviction. As he points out, in recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in curiosity among individuals, particularly in the business world. Many people have become content with passively receiving information rather than actively seeking new knowledge and perspectives. For leaders, this complacency can be detrimental. By reigniting their curiosity, executives and entrepreneurs can stay ahead of the curve, continuously innovating and adapting to change. This unwavering conviction in the importance of curiosity can inspire and motivate leaders to embrace a more proactive and forward-thinking approach to leadership.

Mark Susnow's centeredness, gratitude, and curiosity principles offer a robust framework for navigating change in today's complex business environment. By living from the center, leaders can approach challenges with clarity and balance, make better decisions, and foster a positive, proactive mindset. Gratitude helps shift focus to what is working, reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. Curiosity keeps leaders engaged and forward-thinking, enabling them to embrace change with optimism and creativity. I challenge you to apply these principles in your own leadership practices. Start your day with intention, practice gratitude, and foster curiosity. I believe you will find that these principles can make a significant difference in how you navigate change and lead your team.