7 change mastery shifts for effective leaders

Kevin Cashman, author of Leadership from the Inside Out, writes: "Through 30 years of helping leaders, teams and organizations to navigate change, we have codified Seven Change Mastery Shifts that can increase our chances of success:"

1) From Problem Focus to Opportunity Focus
Effective leaders tend to perceive and to innovate on the opportunities inherent in change.

2) From Short-Term Focus to Long-Term Focus
Effective leaders don’t lose sight of their long-term vision in the midst of change.

3) From Circumstance Focus to Purpose Focus
Effective leaders maintain a clear sense of purpose, value and meaning to rise above immediate circumstances.

4) From Control Focus to Agility Focus
Effective leaders understand that control is a management principle that yields a certain degree of results. However, agility, flexibility and innovation are leadership principles that sustain results over the long haul.

5) From Self-Focus to Service
Effective leaders buffer their teams and organizations from the stress of change by managing, neutralizing, and/or transcending their own stress.

6) From Expertise Focus to Listening Focus
Effective leaders stay open and practice authentic listening to stay connected with others and to consider multiple, innovative solutions.

7) From Doubt Focus to Trust Focus
Effective leaders are more secure in themselves; they possess a sense that they can handle whatever may come their way; their self-awareness and self-trust are bigger than the circumstances of change.