The life of a modern leader brings challenges of leading, innovating, motivating, growing, developing, evaluating, communicating, and risking.
And here’s a fact: You can’t do any of those things very well within your comfort zone. The end of your comfort zone is where your leadership begins.
It’s challenging to move beyond your comfort zone—that’s how it got its name!
There’s something very comforting in using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.
We experience tasks and routines that are so familiar, or that we’re so good at, that we don’t have to think twice about them.
But effective leaders know that leading from their comfort zone means they’re not learning, growing, developing, or getting results.
Ready to go beyond? Here are some thoughts to guide you:
Be smart and challenge yourself. Leaders are so used to motivating and empowering others that they often forget they need to challenge themselves as much as they challenge others. Smart leaders challenge everything—(especially) themselves.
Be fearless and challenge the vision. When the organizational vision is not defined or doesn’t fit, you lose sight of where you are going. Leaders demonstrate courage when they work with others define and articulate the organization’s vision so everyone can be aligned with purpose.
Be daring and challenge the organization. Restructuring, remodeling, reorganization are all necessary for an organization to stay aligned in times of change. Leaders demonstrate daring when they’re willing to let go of control and preconceived notions.
Be heroic and challenge the stakeholders. Every organization is lead by people and relationships are critical, but often one or more stakeholders are holding back the organization. Leaders who demonstrate heroism take risks in gaining buy-in from the important relationships within the organization.
Be innovative and challenge best practices. Each organization has its own processes and best practices. Innovative leaders are constantly challenging the “this is how we do it” mindset and keep aiming higher.
Be strong and challenge the culture. Every organization has a culture, but to be its best it must be intentionally formed and fostered. Strong leaders build strong cultures.
Be bold and challenge the talent. Developing, growing, and cultivating talent are among the most important components innovation and success—if you want creativity and productivity, you have to build a great team. Bold leaders know that greatness is never achieved inside a small, familiar circle.
The best leaders understand that every improvement comes with stepping out of comfort zone, because for most things to change they have to be challenged.
Lead From Within: Leaders who lead beyond their comfort zone take stands. They take responsibility. They seize opportunities to make things better. They challenge things to make improvements. They take risks to create change.
N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
Panteli Tritchew
05. Aug, 2014
A lot of what we do on a daily basis requires us to operate within our comfort zones, and that kind of Standard Operational Procedure is often necessary simply to get stuff done. Sometimes we fool ourselves and call this Leadership because of our job titles.
You’ve captured the internal leadership dynamic wonderfully, Lolly: Leadership Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone. When we push our boundaries, our comfort zone grows, and when it grows, we grow.
LaRae Quy
05. Aug, 2014
Wow, Lolly! You and I are really on the same page with this one!
Leaders will never move beyond mediocrity unless they have the mental strength to move beyond their comfort zone.
Love this: “But effective leaders know that leading from their comfort zone means they’re not learning, growing, developing, or getting results.”
So true, and thanks for reminding us!
Garren Fagaragan
05. Aug, 2014
Yes indeed Lolly…beyond the comfort zone.
I agree…being bold, strong, innovative, heroic, daring, and fearless are required for those who forge through new territories for themselves and others.
That’s why it is smart to challenge oneself…being eager to learn…then passing the knowledge and insights on to others…
making a difference.
Thanks for the post.
I dig the painting by Charina.
great selection for this post.
Hope you’re having a great day…
Jon Stallings
05. Aug, 2014
Great topic Lolly, we so want to play it safe but it really is impossible to lead from that stance.
Terri Klass
05. Aug, 2014
Wonderful post Lolly and one that really challenges us to reflect on how we must pull aside our safety nets to grow substantially!
I love your point that we are often helping empower others while not focusing on our next areas to thrive.
Thanks for another insightful post!
David Brooks
05. Aug, 2014
I agree Lolly,
Leadership does truly begin at the end of your comfort zone and I would like to add many other worth wile endeavors also begin at the end or edge of our comfort zone. I have learned through a life of travel, wonder and experiences ” some great and some not so great” that most of the time our comfort zone is fear of the unknown and limitations we place on ourself. So I say be smart and safe, but push yourself our of your comfort zone as much as possible and live life to the fullest!
Truly inspiring comments!
Thanks!
David Brooks
05. Aug, 2014
I agree Lolly,
Leadership does truly begin at the end of your comfort zone and I would like to add many other worth wile endeavors also begin at the end or edge of our comfort zone. I have learned through a life of travel, wonder and experiences ” some great and some not so great” that most of the time our comfort zone is fear of the unknown and limitations we place on our self. So I say be smart and safe, but push yourself our of your comfort zone as much as possible and live life to the fullest!
Truly inspiring comments!
Thanks!
lollydaskal
05. Aug, 2014
Dear David,
I agree that what resides at the end of our comfort zone is much more than mentioned in this article. but I took the stand of the leader, who allows his or her organization to fall apart, because they are not brave, bold, or fearless enough to speak up.
They need to know they can make a difference.
Thanks for stopping by.
Appreciate your insights and wisdom
Lolly
David Brooks
05. Aug, 2014
Always a pleasure reading and then commenting on your very insightful blog. I am a big fan! Looking forward to not only participating in your blog conversation, also reading your book is on my to do list. I have forwarded your web address to my son Ronnie who is serving in the US Navy Aboard the USS Mitscher (DDG 57). I am sure he will enjoy your insightful, positive, and uplifting message, as much as I do!
Thank You Very Much!
David Brooks
Bob Vanourek
07. Aug, 2014
Indeed, Lolly, leaders venture into the unknown. Thanks for your leadership.
Lolita Bostick
08. Aug, 2014
Many in body One in Mind could accomplish so much more ,If those with the control could only let go just for a moment . Allow new fresh talent to emerge and take everyone higher. Listen and Learn…Some leaders fear change so much they stagnate the growth of the organization ,holding on to “this is how we do it!”. When clearly people are not being served and growth is not amazing!
very encouraging
Thanks
Ram
10. Aug, 2014
Wow! what a definition for the leadership! All other attempts to describe the leadership is falling wayside.
Sunil Jogdeo
11. Aug, 2014
Hello Lolly, many times such write ups throw light on some great things we as leaders miss. Human is so naturally inclined to comfort zone and this makes him / her neglect the rich experience of discomfort. many organisation heads hesitate to open the issue of leadership within their teams due to their own weak links. They are much conservative one. The write up has come just in time for me as I am developing leadership training model for a client here. I have included `challenges` for NextGen leaders and `comfort` is one the contents.
In my leadership design I am adding `mindfulness` as a key learning and attitude for leadership. May be you are the right person to judge its inclusion. I have some research work (informal) done on mindfulness and its impact on quality our actions.
Thank you so much for the write up that has good value additions.
regards
sunil
Tony Stone
03. Dec, 2014
Thanks Lolly! As a leader it’s great to be reminded to take time to challenge and develop myself. Very motivating!
Wyatt
05. Jan, 2016
I have read so many content about the blogger lovers except this paragraph is
actually a nice piece of writing, keep it up.
francesc Jara
02. May, 2016
I am totally agree with this article, but not only leaders should go beyond their comfort zone, also employees must show their compromise to go with them as far as they need, to bring innovation to the team.
Holadeji
17. Aug, 2016
Massive words and tipz to strengthen those that have the leadership passion.keep it up lolly daskal