How to make lasting change in a post-covid world

I was invited by a buddy of mine, Gerry Murray, who I met a few years ago whilst participating in a neuro science course, to join his pod cast to talk about how to create lasting change in a post-covid world.  I am full of admiration for Gerry as he has a weekly blog, and, it was his blog that inspired me to start writing a regular blog nearly two years ago now. 

We spoke for nearly an hour on the topic of change, both in organisations and for individuals because at the end of the day it is the individuals in organisations that create lasting change. I share my own personal story in terms of how I got to where I am today and I share many of my personal insights into what I have learnt along the way.  Gerry asked me about my book writing career and tips about how my first book 'Change Your Life with NLP' got published and how it made made a real difference to the lives of many people.  

We go onto discuss the importance of inner leadership how this is where the process of change begins along with managing to get out of our own way and understanding our limiting beliefs about what is possible for us.  NLP training has the potential to help us come out of covid with hope, focus and new possibilities.  I talk about how NLP has helped me understand how to take control of my feelings and my state whilst we are often surrounded by negativity and fear.  NLP helped me to understand that my thoughts are my own choice and that I can choose how I react to what is going on in the world around me.  This has helped me a lot as I know that I can choose how I come out of the pandemic and what I decide to focus on next.  For example, are you focused on what is possible or what is not possible?  Once the pandemic hit my board of Directors decided to shift the business online overnight.  We believed in the opportunity of new possibilities rather than the fear that leads to feeling stuck. It is not about having unrealistic expectations it is about having the ability to look at something from many different perspectives and keep a sense of proportion.  Taking small steps can help immensely.  For example, some of my friends who also run their own businesses, were out transforming their gardens during the first lock down as they believed it was a waste of time to try to get new business at that time whereas we made a different choice to keep going, be agile and offer pro bono work into the NHS.  Our flexible approach is something that NLP helps us to develop.  

We spoke about the top three things that make a difference in terms of how leaders can deliver long-term sustainable change.  I discuss the importance of leadership visibility and support,  translating 'WIFFM', or what's in it for me at all levels, is it clear enough? And, thirdly, change is not just logical it is also an emotional process.  I talk about how to tap into both sides using engagement and also the differences I have noticed between male and female leaders.  

We ended with some tips for emerging from the pandemic.  Covid has created some massive value shifts for people who are re-evaluating what is important in their lives. I would encourage everyone to reflect on what has shifted for them.  For example, I have put more focus on improving my fitness.  My question for you is what is it that has changed for you in a positive way?  And, how are you going to keep it going as life gets back to a new normal?  Watch out for those ingrained habits which cause you to get back into bad habits without even realising it.  What are you going to work hard to retain? 

Here is the link to my episode if you'd like to listen to it all.  

https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/leading-people/how-to-make-lasting-changes-8uiWEMSfpw7/

Gerry's pod cast focuses on tips from leading people in all walks of life.  There are some really insightful podcasts that I would encourage you to download and listen to.  

Enjoy!  

Lindsey and the team at Team NLP.