A recent Crossfit workout really brought home the power of muscle memory. And why constant skills development is required to keep yourself sharp.
My coach gives me some pretty tough workouts. When it pops up on my app or my coach describes in my online class, I always think to myself,“Aw, hell no!” and the negotiations start early.
I’ll just do 3 rounds instead of 5
Maybe scale down to 6 reps instead of 10? My leg kinda hurts today (note: not really)
You’ve got to be freaking kidding me?!
(Curse words fly)
But I do the first round. And it’s usually pretty ugly. My muscles are tight. The movements feel awkward. I flop around like a dying fish. Definitely not movie montage worthy.
And then I complete one round. And start into the next. And my coach and comrades are all there, we’re cheering each other on. Yes, even when I’m watching the virtual recording, I can feel their hands on my back.
Huh, what’s this? It’s a little teeny bit easier. My body knows now what to expect, what to do next. It’s a little prettier than before, but still tough.My muscle memory starts kicking in OK, maybe this might work. But, seriously, I’m only doing one more round of reps.
Third round, I find the groove. I feel more coordinated, more agile. Is that even a spring in my step? Are those the endorphins kicking in? I feel like I might sorta be an athlete?!
And before I know it, I’ve done the 6 or 8 or 12 rounds I said I could not, would not, do.
Leadership is like this. We’re never “done” learning. Not with the workplace changing so fast. Not with AI, or hybrid workforces (both geographically and between humans and robots). And not with the unique tapestry of each and every team we lead.
Adapting feels uncomfortable. Embracing new models, such as partnering with your team, rather than powering over them, might take a bit more time to master and get the results you want. You might flop around like a dying fish for a while, too.
But that doesn’t mean you stop. It means you keep going, rep by rep, motion by motion. Conversation by conversation.
Yes, you won’t always look pretty. But you have to be honest. Gen Z doesn’t want perfection; they want authenticity (according to the recent Forbes article I just wrote).
And this also means you find your community, your support, your people. The people you can rely on, who will be honest with you, hold you accountable, and help you sharpen your skills. Those who can help you hone your human-centered leadership edge AND STILL demand high performance and hold your boundaries.
So get sweaty. Don’t be afraid to look messy and uncoordinated. And work through it all with people you trust, those who will elevate you and help you become a better version of yourself. To become the legacy leader you want to be – and that you know you CAN be.
Want to join us on the journey? I’m starting an amazing mastermind to help you become a healthy, human-centered leader who gets results. And leaves a legacy.
Let’s talk about my upcoming 2-day virtual leadership event so you can have a taste. It’s FREE – but not everyone gets in, so let’s have a chat first and see if this aligns with your goals and where you are right now.
Photo Credit: Victor Freitas on Unsplash
