Why are you still working? I often get this question, and sometimes, I struggle to find an answer that makes sense. I am certainly past the age when many of my friends and colleagues retire. I am financially secure and have a rich life filled with family, friends, and interests such as cooking, gardening, reading, and entertaining.
Some days, I complain about how hard I work for someone my age. But most days, I look forward to sitting down at my desk and writing a blog or an article, traveling to see a client for coaching, or engaging in some other endeavor related to my clear leadership mission.
Last night, I met a friend for dinner at one of our local haunts. She asked me what I was doing these days. After I described my many projects to her, she looked at me and said, “You love the work, don’t you? You light up when you talk about it!” This morning, another dear friend told me she envisions me still sitting at my desk when I’m 99, cranking out articles.
While I wouldn’t go that far, I do acknowledge that I love my work. And I haven’t always been able to say that. There have been times when I have been bored or frustrated. I have learned to view these less-than-motivating feelings as signals to attend to.
Clinging to the Status Quo: My Signals
In a work-related funk, I ask myself whether I am stuck in the status quo. Here are some of the indicators I notice:
- Feeling Bored or Frustrated: This indicates that I am not challenging myself enough. These feelings often stem from a lack of new, engaging experiences or goals.
- Echo Chamber: If I am only seeking advice and feedback from a close-knit group that agrees with me, it is time to diversify my input sources to get a more balanced perspective.
- Decision-Making Patterns: When I analyze my decision-making patterns, I ask myself whether I often opt for safe, low-risk choices. This could indicate my reluctance to embrace change and take necessary risks.
Stay Alert to Your Status Quo Leadership Signals
If you feel comfortable for too long without significant challenges, you may be clinging to the status quo. Likewise, if you are resistant to new ideas and notice you are dismissing them quickly, this may indicate that you are too attached to how things have always been done.
Status quo leadership is perilous. Sticking to tried-and-true methods might seem safe, but it often leads to stagnation. Over time, what once worked can become outdated, failing to meet the evolving needs of the market, team, and organization. Not only do you risk falling behind fresher, more competitive leaders, you also risk missing out on new opportunities and, in my case, becoming so bored, frustrated, or outdated that my work is no longer stimulating or relevant in today’s world.
My Bottom Line
Most of you, dear readers, are younger than I am and will continue to work for a long time. So it is worth being alert to the signals that you are becoming a status quo leader.
What I do is closely tied to my life purpose and my leadership mission. It is part of what makes me feel alive. That is why I light up when I talk about my work. Over time, these feelings may change, and I will continue to be willing to confront and accept my limitations. Hubris is not for me!
However, in the meantime, I hope I will never be too old to confront signs of status quo leadership and always be eager to grow.
