Think of a typical day in the office. Everyone steps into the lift. Maybe someone dares to smile or make a comment. But, most people are probably silent, lost in their own thoughts, or simply afraid to break elevator etiquette.
Be The Force Of Change And Speak Cheerfully In The Lift
It might make you uncomfortable at first. You might wonder why you should even bother. A Brazilian study found that people suffering from social anxiety disorder were more likely to perceive certain situations (such as being in a lift) as dangerous, compared to the healthy controls. The study was small, but the results supported the hypothesis that anxiety disorders may affect parts of the brain that drive defensive behaviors (Mesquita, 2011).
You may be nodding your head, saying that you are the type of person who prefers not to talk in some situations, and the lift is one of those situations. You may not feel that you have an anxiety disorder, you just don’t talk in the lift. You keep your head down and stay quiet. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can greet people. It doesn’t cost anything if you start with a smile, or a quick hello. If you feel anxious about speaking to others, start small. The little changes can add up to big rewards.
Do You Have The Leadership Skills Needed To Make A Real Difference?
An innovation leader will be adaptable. If you have a hard time saying hi to strangers in the lift, how are you going to lead new teams of diverse people to new heights?
By embracing change, even in small ways like smiling and greeting others, your attitude will change and so will your leadership skills.
Smile at strangers, and you just might change a life.
Steve Maraboli
In this Imagination Age, leadership and neuroscience are blending to give us a better understanding of how our brains operate when we make decisions. Having an attitude that embraces positivity, and being able to step out of your comfort zone gives your brain a chance to make real changes that will affect your personal and professional lives.
Its Never Too Late To Learn. The i4 Neuroleader™ Program Can Help
Innovation will stagnate without the right attitude. Small changes, like smiling and talking to people around you in the office and the lift, can have profound impacts.
You don’t know where the next big idea might be. Creating the right atmosphere for innovation starts with you, and in return, you can expect a progressive environment and outside the box thinking.
Give yourself the confidence and knowledge that you need. Things that you deem unimportant can mean so much to the people around you. Be the positive change that can spur your organisation to more discoveries, more innovation, and better leadership styles.
