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Shift: finding your back-to-work mindset to lead with purpose, impact and ease

Several times in my career, for different reasons, I have taken a career break. The most recent was to finally write up my PhD after years of juggling studies, a full-time senior-leader role and family time. It wasn’t going to happen if I didn’t press the pause button for a while.

Returning to work was a transition – a shift – to revisit my leadership mindset.

A transition is like any other journey – we need to prepare – to think and do. First we need know our starting point before we can visualise where we are going, check-in on our purpose, dust-down or reset our road map, plan the itinerary and have clever baggage solutions, ensure nourishment along the way, identify practical ways to make sure it all happens, and gather our supportive fellow travellers.

Returning to work as a leader may seem turbo-charged and daunting rather than the slower pace we might prefer. How can we make sure we feel ready and excited about the new challenge? The following questions may help:

What is your starting point?

Identify your strengths – reflect on what value you brought to your roles previously or from what you have been doing since – remember you may have built more strengths during your career break. Need some help – ask family or friends what they think your strengths are.

Have your priorities changed?

Has your life purpose changed since your career break, are your motivations different now? How will you, for example, set new boundaries in your work life to focus on wellbeing or maybe identify a different career path within the organisation, to follow new interests or ambitions? Can you visualise a different route map for yourself? Think about who you might want to talk to about this.

Do you have any limiting beliefs that are holding you back?

Be your own cheer leader – too often we allow negative thoughts and self-doubts to cloud our vision about what we can achieve or stop us taking the actions we really want to. Changing the language when we think about ourselves can reframe our thought patterns. Simply changing negative thinking such as, ‘I won’t know what I am doing anymore?’ to a more positive mindset, ‘What do I know already and what might I want to learn more about?’, shifts our mindset and self-perception.

How will you look after yourself during this transition phase?

Be aware of energy levels when planning time management. For example, changing to new routines or spending more time in the office with others can be energising and/or cognitively tiring. How will you manage your time in terms of when you will be most productive or creative, or when simple, routine tasks will give you the opportunity to recharge. Don’t forget to build in time to get away from your desk – to move and reset.

What support will you need?

Think about the best support for your needs and what you can ask about for your return to the workplace. Is there new professional knowledge or skills you need training on – are there courses you can have access to? Do you need a coach to help you to set new goals, build confidence, foster a mindset shift for your return to the workplace and take action.

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