How to Reinvent Yourself as a Leader

Ubiquitous (yo͞oˈbikwədəs) means “all over the place” or “pervasive.” And that describes all the change surrounding us – it’s everywhere. One of the ubiquitous things in our culture right now is the rapid pace of reinvention. Think of what has been reinvented in a relatively short time. From going to work to working from home. From recovering in the hospital to outpatient surgery. From “going” to college to online education. From shopping at a mall to shopping online. From playing sports to cyber gaming. From attending church to watching church on your iPad. From going to the bank to deposit a check to doing it on your phone.

So, if whole industries and areas of culture can be reinvented, can a leader be reinvented too? From our experience as consultants and coaches, the answer is YES. People often undergo such changes, but they are neither easy nor quick. They usually happen one baby step at a time over an extended period. Here are eight reinventions a leader may consider at some point in their life to advance their credibility, productivity, or competency.

1. Attitude.

I recently heard about a conversation between a doctor and an older patient that went like this: The older patient said he was ready to die even though he was very healthy for his age. The doctor responded with, “Well aren’t you a bundle of joy!” In other words, “your attitude sucks.” Think about what a reinvention of attitude could do for this patient. Attitudes can change. Optimism can be nurtured. Gratefulness can be discovered. Reinvention can happen with grit, help, and hope.

2. Presence.

When I was a university professor years ago, I had a student who was quite awkward. He was a genuinely nice guy, but his dress was out of date, his hair made him look 71 instead of 21, and sadly, he had a very noticeable body odor. I cared about him and was concerned that without a reinvention of the way he presented himself, he was going to be greatly hindered in both his personal and professional life. So, I sat him down and gave him some feedback, providing suggestions for change. People make quick determinations about us based on how we present ourselves. Consider whether a reinvention of your clothing style, hair, posture, or another noticeable area is right for you.

3. Credentials.

Have you been coasting for a while? Like the person I saw at the beach who was floating for hours in his tube. One of the ways you can get out of the tube and stop the coasting is to complete that degree. Or acquire that certification. Or ask your supervisor for her ideas on ways to grow in your professional competency. A new credential can help open new doors of reinvention by advancing your value to the company and demonstrating that you are a motivated learner.

4. Physical health.

I read the memoir of a successful writer for publications like ESPN, Forbes, and Sports Illustrated. The writer had struggled with weight for most of his life and, at his peak, reached 460 pounds. He knew his weight was not good and could seriously impact his health and, ultimately, his wife and family. He said this about change, “Fundamental change of any kind is the hardest thing an adult human being can do.” But he eventually was able to change by losing one pound at a time over many years. The reinvention had begun. And it can for us too including practices like adding exercise, getting up on time, drinking less alcohol (or Diet Coke?), and getting enough sleep.

5. Relational skills.

Think of the one person you cannot stand to be around. Now, what if you were the person someone else would name when answering this question? Known for your anger, whining, bossiness, obnoxiousness, or self-centeredness? Relationally healthy leaders are more sought after, have greater influence, and even make about $29,000 more annually. I am often asked if people can improve their relational skills. The answer is yes, and to a distinguishable degree. Improving relational skills is one of the more impactful areas of reinvention.

6. Grit.

Did you know 92% of people quit their New Year’s goals? Additionally, 80% quit gym memberships within 5 months. 44% of those who start college stop or drop out. 50.5 million people quit their jobs in 2022 alone. And 66% of newly hired employees are already looking for a new job in 3 months. This is what some social commentators have referred to as a quitting culture. In contrast, gritty leaders work harder than others, sacrifice short-term gratification, and do not easily quit. If you happen to be someone known for lacking resiliency, consider reinventing your grittiness.

7. Occupation.

This one may sound confusing since I just mentioned that you should be slow to quit in order to grow your grit. But sometimes, to reinvent yourself, you need a fresh start, a new opportunity, or a different context. If I never took the risk to leave my past positions, I would not have had the opportunity and awesome experience of starting The Center Consulting Group. Maybe your present position or manager isn’t giving you enough opportunities for new experiences or growth. Or, the culture is like a vampire, sucking the life out of you. Or, perhaps you just want to do something different. Seek wise counsel and consider an occupation reinvention.

8. Motivation.

Failure to thrive is a term most commonly used to describe children who are not growing taller or gaining weight. But the term can also be used for different reasons to describe some adults – those who never seek to advance, are under-employed, lack structure or discipline resulting in often being late and forgetting things, are overly dependent upon parents, or do the minimum amount of work possible. When compared to a highly motivated team member, the difference is impossible to miss. When a person reinvents themselves in this area, along with attitude adjustment, it will capture the attention of owners and managers more than just about anything else. So, if you are struggling with motivation, consider a reinvention.

A substantive reinvention of yourself in one or more of these areas is not an easy task. It takes realizing that you need it and having a relentless determination to change. Sometimes, a leader can make these changes on their own or with the help of a mentor or trusted friend. More often, they need help from a professional who has assisted others with similar reinvention goals. Either way, it all starts with taking an honest look at yourself and considering if change in one of these areas may be just the right move at just the right time to advance your credibility, productivity, or competency.

Contact us to learn how personalized coaching can help you reinvent yourself as a leader in one or more of these areas.

Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.