Swings + Roundabouts Winter 2021

Simon Sinek, a world-renowned mentor and coach, encourages us to lead with an infinite mindset. What does this mean and how does it support sustainable leadership? No matter the roles we play at work or at home, we all play a leadership role on a daily basis. Whether this is in terms of leadership of ourselves or of those around us, every decision we make sets an example to ourselves and those around us. To this end leadership is often a mindset that will either enable or disable us and/or those around us. FINITE VS INFINITE MINDSET Over the last year our mindsets have certainly been challenged and it is in these moments of challenge our mindsets reveal who we are as leaders. Simon Sinek, in his recent book The Infinite Game describes two types of leadership mindset, a finite mindset and an infinite mindset. Those who lead with a finite mindset often views the world as something to be won or lost with a beginning, a middle and an end and looking for what is in it for them. In contrast, those who lead with an infinite mindset view time horizons as infinite, wanting their organisations and communities to succeed HOW OUR MINDSET INFLUENCES SUSTAINABILITY BY PHIL AND TIFFANY SMITH, COLLINGRIDGE AND SMITH ARCHITECTS (UK) leaving them in a better shape than when they found them. Therefore, if we lead with an infinite mindset, we inherently become sustainability leaders that will enable us to “meet our needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.” (‘Brundtland Commission's Report - Our Common Future’) Giraffe Early Learning, Mt Albert Giraffe Early Learning, Mt Albert - Main Reception LEADING WITH AN INFINITE MINDSET To lead with an infinite mindset, Simon Sinek states that there are five essential practices that must be followed: ● Advance a Just Cause A just cause is a vision of the future that is so appealing to those around you they are willing to help advance towards that vision. ● Build Trusting Teams Build not just a team of people that work together, build a team that trust each other. A team that feels safe and can express vulnerability. Trust is not built through grand team building exercises but “is the stacking and layering of small moments and reciprocal vulnerabilities over time” says Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston in her book Dare to Lead. ● Study your Worthy Rivals A worthy rival is another who is worthy of comparison. A worthy rival is not a competitor but instead, when studied, they help keeps us honest and help us get better at what we do. ● Prepare for Existential Flexibility This is the capacity to initiate a strategic change within what you are doing, to advance your Just Cause. For example, June 2021 { 26 }