Here's how you can strengthen your resilience in a Thought Leadership role.

We all learn from our failures & successes. No obstacle is so big that can't be overcomed. Give yourself time to reflect and retrospect. Accept & acknowledge the failure & share with others as a learning document. Every task & situation is a living learning pattern.

"Experiment. Fail. Learn. Repeat." reads the sign in my office. I got it made to remind me every day that "failure" or things not feeling perfect is just a process of learning to be better. I can be really hard on myself, and embracing "failure" makes me more brave and authentic because I know it is the best way to learn and improve.

Embracing failure is a cornerstone of resilient thought leadership. It's not about seeing setbacks as barriers, but as opportunities for growth. Each stumble offers invaluable insights to refine strategies and ideas, strengthening your position as a leader. Accepting failure as part of the journey is crucial for maintaining momentum and a positive mindset. Resilient leaders don't just bounce back; they thrive by learning from missteps. So, instead of letting setbacks derail you, use them as fuel for your journey towards even greater success. Remember, resilience isn't just about enduring challenges – it's about leveraging them to soar higher.

Fail fast to learn faster. I always believe in this principle. We need to give ourselves leg-room to develop. And mistakes give us a chance for that. To explore and learn from it and grow and improve. Hence, failures are stepping stones. They can help you improve. Also, fail in the public, so you can take that responsibility to prove them wrong seriously and raise the stakes.

Leverage failures to grow: 78% of successful entrepreneurs report that past failures directly contributed to their success. Thomas Edison’s 1,000 failed attempts preceded the light bulb, and J.K. Rowling faced multiple rejections before Harry Potter. Put up with failure, analyze it, and iterate for innovative success.

Active solicitation of feedback is integral to resilient leadership. Engaging with our audience and peers provides diverse perspectives, aiding us in anticipating challenges and refining our strategies. Constructive criticism is not a sign of weakness but an avenue for growth. Valuing others' input demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement. Embracing feedback as a catalyst for growth is a hallmark of resilient leadership. It propels us to adapt, anticipate hurdles, and achieve greater success. Let's foster this culture of collaboration and innovation together.

Actively seeking feedback boosts resilience; 72% of leaders report improved problem-solving. For example, a marketing team, by integrating customer suggestions, increased campaign success by 30%. Knowing critiques, like a startup refining its app based on user reviews, transforms weaknesses into strengths, fostering continuous improvement and resilient leadership.

Feedback is great when it is sought out. Often when I am ‘field testing’ concepts I will ask questions to gain insight and feedback. There is an art to framing your questions in a way that allows you to receive meaningful information and data. From here you will notice patterns and gain insight to areas that previously may have been ‘blind spots’

This strategy is crucial because feedback provides valuable insights into your performance, strengths, and areas for improvement. By actively seeking feedback, you can continuously learn and adapt your leadership approach. It helps you refine your strategies, enhance your skills, and build stronger relationships with your team and stakeholders. Constructive feedback also helps in boosting your self-awareness, which is essential for effective leadership and resilience.

Expanding your knowledge across diverse fields, cultures, and methodologies enhances your resilience and adaptability. It equips you with a versatile toolkit for problem-solving and innovation. When challenges arise, you're not limited to one perspective; you have a rich array of resources to draw from, increasing the likelihood of finding creative solutions. Moreover, understanding different cultures fosters empathy and effective communication, essential for navigating global challenges. Integrating various methodologies enables continuous improvement and staying ahead in an ever-evolving landscape. Embrace this approach to become a thought leader who thrives in dynamic environments, leading the way with innovative solutions.

Read outside your silo! I read everything. I love getting exposure to things that you wouldn't think make sense for me, because it helps create new brain pathways and ways of seeing the world, and my own challenges in new ways. Exploring new fields helps keep us fresh, curious, and humble. Always providing new material for thought and creation.

Boost resilience by exploring diverse fields; a study found that 70% of top innovators have multidisciplinary backgrounds. For example, blending biology with technology can lead to breakthroughs like bioinformatics. Look out for diverse learning to tackle challenges creatively and stay adaptable in a rapidly changing world.

Stay curious and open to new knowledge and perspectives. Engage in professional development opportunities, read widely, and seek diverse viewpoints. This growth mindset will help you adapt to changing landscapes and overcome obstacles

I worked with a company providing training development solutions and it was a very interesting dynamic. The workforce had individuals from over 120 countries with over 80 languages spoken and 60 different dialects. What we found was the ability to identify ‘universal’ concepts that transcended the differences and worked for everyone within the company culture. The project work with this company led to the creation of our meta model - A Systems Approach to Individual and Organizational Wellness

Prioritizing your physical and emotional well-being is paramount, especially in the demanding role of thought leadership. Managing stress and maintaining balance isn't a luxury, it's an essential investment in your effectiveness and resilience. By prioritizing your well-being, you're not just practicing self-care; you're optimizing your performance as a thought leader. When you're at your best, you're better equipped to handle the challenges ahead. Plus, you set a powerful example for your team. So, carve out time for yourself. Your effectiveness as a leader depends on it, and your team will benefit too. After all, a healthy leader leads to a healthy organization, and that's a win-win.

At Paterson Consulting Inc. we help individuals and organizations become healthy, wealthy, and wise and there is a reason health and wellness comes first. When you lead with wellness things feel light and energized, and you are able to move forward with ease. These are the beginning steps to move into the flow state

Crafting a robust support network is paramount for any thought leader striving for resilience and growth. By aligning with mentors, peers, and industry experts, you gain access to a diverse array of perspectives, guidance, and opportunities. Mentors provide invaluable insights honed from experience, while peers offer mutual learning and collaboration. Engaging with industry professionals opens doors to new possibilities. Yet, it's not merely about receiving, it's about contributing. Your network serves as a dynamic platform for idea exchange, innovation, and collective advancement. In challenging times, your network becomes your lifeline, offering support, inspiration, and momentum to propel you forward.

To enhance resilience, build a diverse support network: mentors, peers, and industry professionals. According to a 2022 LinkedIn study, 70% of professionals find new opportunities through networking. An entrepreneur facing market challenges might pivot successfully after brainstorming with seasoned mentors, transforming obstacles into growth opportunities.

Next week I will be travelling up to INVENTURE$ 2024 in Calgary, AB. I have gone to this conference for the last two years and every year, though it takes a lot out of me over the three days, stimulates my brain in expansive ways. The conversations build on ideas and innovation, how to change things for the better, and profit for the better. Networking at this event is enjoyable and refreshing and I am excited to connect with new, unique, and highly interesting individuals!

You know what I find fascinating, other people. Watching what they do and why they do the things they do. Often you will start to see underlying patterns when you become upon to exploring why they chose to do this over that. How come they made that choice, and what moved them to take that action at that point in time. People are fascinating!

Gotta love how the LinkedIn AI actually thinks that thought leadership job roles exist. Wouldn't we all like to have a job where we're only required to drink and know things? Instead of filling out timesheets and sending emails and, you know, work. Keep dreaming, LinkedIn AI. This is a good dream.