Unshakeable Leadership

freermw
Jun 1
6 min read

Updated: Sep 11

Sometimes life can throw you a curveball, which you never see coming.

Much like in chess, there are moments when we’re faced with a move we never wanted to make. A position we didn’t anticipate. Recently, I received news of a significant challenge - one that demands focus, resilience, and a mindset ready to navigate uncertainty.

Positive thinking is often championed as the key to overcoming obstacles, but when you're deep in the game, facing a move that feels overwhelming, it’s easier said than done.

This is where support matters most - the people who remind us we’re not playing alone, who help us see options we might have missed, and who give us the strength to make the next move, even when the board looks tough.

In leadership, in life, and in the hardest moments, we find our way forward - not by avoiding challenges, but by facing them with courage, strategy, and conviction.

To anyone grappling with an unexpected move, I see you. It’s tough, but we find our way - step by step, piece by piece.

Grappling with an unexpected move - playing chess — Grappling with an unexpected move

Navigating uncertainty with confidence and a positive mindset

In my latest edition (17) of Breakthrough leadership I want to share a number of techniques that can be used to create a positive mindset.

Four years ago I completed a series of certifications in Positive Psychology with the University of Pennsylvania, learning from the world's leading experts - Dr. Martin Seligman & Prof. Angela Duckworth. I studied the research and learnt a wide range of concepts, tools and techniques to help support mental wellbeing.

It turns out I now need to draw on a number of these techniques to overcome a significant challenge life has thrown at me. To help me in this process I want to share 10 simple, yet powerful techniques which can be used by anyone who is facing their own personal challenge.

1. The Power of Learned Optimism

😨Challenge: Difficult times test us, but they don’t define us.

🧠Positive Psychology: Learned optimism helps leaders reframe setbacks, shifting from "This is permanent" to "This is temporary."

🎯Technique: When faced with adversity, ask: What’s another way to see this? Changing your lens changes your leadership. A setback doesn't define the future.

🌐Real life: Imagine a sales leader whose team lost a major client. Instead of dwelling on failure, they frame it as an opportunity to refine their sales strategy. They tell their team: This is a tough moment, but it’s temporary. What can we learn and improve for next time?

2. Growth Mindset in Tough Moments

😨Challenge: A setback isn’t a failure - it’s an opportunity to grow.

🧠Positive Psychology: Leaders with a growth mindset ask: What can I learn? A fixed mindset says "I’m not good at this." A growth mindset says "I’m improving at this."

🎯Technique: Instead of "I can’t handle this," try "I’m developing the skills to navigate this." The way you talk to yourself matters.

🌐Real life: A manager struggles with delivering tough feedback. Instead of believing “I’ll never be good at difficult conversations,” they shift to: What can I practice? What new approach can I try? They seek guidance, learn, and improve.

3. Grit: More Than Just Perseverance

😨Challenge: Grit isn’t pushing harder - it’s staying committed.

🧠Positive Psychology: Angela Duckworth describes grit as passion and perseverance for long-term goals.

🎯Technique: When obstacles arise, ask: Why does this goal matter to me? The deeper the purpose, the stronger the grit. Grit is commitment through obstacles.

🌐Real life: A senior manager launching a new initiative faces resistance. Instead of giving up, they stay focused on their long-term vision, reminding themselves and the team: Why does this matter? How can we adapt while staying committed to our goal?

4. The Role of Gratitude in Strength

😨Challenge: Gratitude isn’t just for good times - it’s fuel during challenges.

🧠Positive Psychology: Research shows that gratitude shifts mindset from scarcity to possibility.

🎯Technique: Take one minute daily to reflect: What’s one thing I’m grateful for today? Even in adversity, there is something to acknowledge.

🌐Real life: An executive facing personal and professional challenges keeps a gratitude journal. Each morning, they note: One thing I’m grateful for, one thing I learned yesterday, one small win. This practice brings perspective, keeping them grounded and positive.

5. Hope Theory: The Psychology of Possibility

😨Challenge: Hope isn’t wishful thinking - it’s strategic.

🧠Positive Psychology: Hope Theory suggests three elements: clear goals, pathways, and agency.

🎯Technique: Leaders can ask: What’s the next small step toward my goal? Even in uncertainty, action leads to hope. Hope comes from having clear goals, pathways, and agency.

🌐Real life: An Entrepreneur whose business is struggling doesn’t just hope things improve; they create a recovery plan. They ask: What small step can we take today? By identifying actionable pathways, they strengthen their team's optimism.

6. Self-Compassion: The Leadership Superpower

😨Challenge: Leaders often support others but struggle with self-kindness.

🧠Positive Psychology: The way you treat yourself affects the way you lead.

🎯Technique: Instead of criticism, ask: How would I speak to a friend in this situation? Treat yourself with the same care you offer others.

🌐Real life: A leader makes a mistake in a high-stakes decision. Instead of harsh self-criticism, they pause and ask: If a team member made this mistake, how would I respond? Then, they practice self-kindness, learn, and move forward.

7. Mental Contrasting & WOOP Technique

😨Challenge: Focus on your dreams, but prepare for reality.

🧠Positive Psychology: WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) is a tool for achieving goals despite setbacks.

🎯Technique: Leaders ask: What’s my goal, and how will I navigate obstacles? This keeps momentum strong.

🌐Real life: An executive sets a bold goal - expanding internationally. Instead of relying on hope alone, they apply WOOP: Wish (expand globally), Outcome (successful expansion), Obstacles (market differences, funding), Plan (research, partnerships, phased rollout).

8. Meaning & Purpose as Anchors

😨Challenge: Purpose is the compass in difficult times.

🧠Positive Psychology: Research shows that having a sense of meaning fosters resilience.

🎯Technique: Leaders ask: What truly matters right now? Finding meaning in adversity transforms challenges into lessons. Purpose keeps leaders grounded during uncertainty.

🌐Real life: A commercial leader in a struggling organisation reconnects with their "why" - creating meaningful impact. They remind their team: Even in difficulty, our mission remains. How can we adapt to stay true to our purpose?

9. Rewriting Your Narrative: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

😨Challenge: Your internal dialogue shapes your reality.

🧠Positive Psychology: Your perspective is your power.

🎯Technique: Leaders can shape their internal narrative: Is my current story helping me or holding me back? Adversity offers an opportunity to rewrite the script and move forward with strength.

🌐Real life: An operational leader caught in self-doubt thinks, I always mess up under pressure. Instead, they rewrite their inner story: I have faced challenges before and navigated them successfully. I can do this. Their confidence shifts, and positive actions follow.

10. Small Wins, Big Impact: The Science of Micro-Progress

😨Challenge: Progress isn’t always dramatic - sometimes it’s tiny steps.

🧠Positive Psychology: Research shows that small victories boost motivation and resilience.

🎯Technique: Instead of waiting for the big breakthrough, ask: What’s one small action I can take today? It adds up. Micro-progress builds momentum.

🌐Real life: A Transformation leader overwhelmed by a massive project doesn’t focus on finishing it all at once. Instead, they ask: What’s one small thing I can complete today? As small wins accumulate, motivation and resilience grow.