Happy This ONE Friday!

This is a quote my coachee brought up in our coaching session. Despite describing himself as a hardcore Android believer, he deeply resonated with what Jobs said and concluded that “people either change the world or follow the world.”

In that session, what opened up was about the forces to change the world or follow. While the energy to challenge the status quo, strategically rethink the current system, bring about innovation, and execute to make change happen is always inspiring, it turns out that the seemingly opposite energy to follow the world is equally significant.

The power of “follow the world”

What is this “energy to follow the world” about? It exists in all of us, and we tap into it regularly. Have you wondered what your boss likes? Have you conformed to social norms and expectations? If you reflect, you'll notice you behave differently in various groups, such as with clients versus close friends.

We adjust and adapt to our environment. Originally intended to protect us from danger and help us survive, this force also preserves culture, social norms, and traditions – maintaining the status quo.

Even for a CEO, being attuned to one’s environment is crucial for effecting change. For example, dealing with a new board, stringent government regulations, and a Gen-Z workforce requires agility and flexibility to build influence.

The Downside Of only following the world

A strength overused becomes a weakness. Relying solely on our ability to adapt allows our environment and perceived limits to shape us.

This ONE Idea

Leadership is about shaping our environment. Transitioning into higher leadership positions involves stepping up the force to shape our surroundings.

To do this effectively, we need to better harmonize the two energies we have.

• Acknowledge and appreciate your capacity to “follow the world.” It helps you build connections and understand realities.

• Remember, never stop there. Leverage the connection and understanding to make a difference than for comfort and safety.

• Connect with your energy to “change the world.” This is the energy to create, to make changes, and to move forward. In this zone, you become radically curious, resourceful, and ready to experiment.

Surviving is not the ultimate goal. Thriving and making an impact is both your birthright and your privilege.

Question For You

What do you feel about acknowledging your ability to “follow the world?”

Do you need to step up your force to “change the world?”

Leadership transition is a journey, whether you are becoming a CEO, a first-time manager, or anywhere in between. This journey is challenging but full of growth opportunities. To navigate it effectively, we need to see things in new lenses.

Ready to embrace this challenge? Journey with me.

Until next week,

Yolanda Yu
Coach and lifelong learner

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Past issues

This ONE – How trustworthy are you?

This ONE – Specificity in action: From Drama Class to Strategic Thinking, Leadership, and Managing your boss

This ONE: Competition and the matter of envy, jealousy, peer pressure, and external validation

This ONE: Office politics, toxic environment, and other people’s judgment

This ONE: From the gym, harnessing creativity in flow, and focus with my ADHD brain

This ONE: What’s the point? The leadership grill, unstuck from tech roles, and job searching in a bad market

This ONE: On fulfilling career potential, how to be more assertive, and the powerful way to manage difficult conversations.

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Every Friday, I share ONE idea and its manifestations and 1 question for you to ponder. Other ingredients you can expect will be book extracts, quotes, metaphors, tools, resources, and mini-exercises to keep growing your self-awareness.