Crucial_conversation_l-1024x682Do you maintain perseverance through tough times? In the late 60’s Martin Seligman and Steven Maier conducted an experiment with 3 groups of dogs. The first group was placed in a harness and soon released. The second and third groups of dogs were yoked in pairs, one dog from Group 2 and one dog from Group 3 (each dog separated by a partition). The yoked pair was repeatedly shocked; however, only the dogs in the second group were able to stop the shock by pushing a button with his/her snout. The dogs in the third group had a faulty button, and they did have the ability to stop the shock. Consequently, the shock was inescapable to the third group of dogs. As a result, the third group learned to be helpless and experienced similar symptoms of clinical depression. Martin Seligman coined this concept as learned helplessness which basically is a sense of powerlessness stemming from persistent failure to succeed.

Many neighborhoods no longer have the white picket fence around their homes. However, people in general still own dogs. Therefore, some owners by electrical fences that emit an audible tone or a low shock level to condition the dog to stay within certain boundaries of the property. Every now and then the dogs that really persevere get loose.

Have you decided to allow the people to change the way you operate. Have the naysayers berated, complained and discouraged you so much that you have little or no fight left in you? Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate yourself and take inventory of your response to groups who are not interested in change. How do you rekindle the moxie or the courage you had when you were first hired? If you are a leader you must have perseverance to push through the tough times. Think about situations where you have been punked. What did it feel like? Did you get angry? If you allow the naysayers to punk you one time will they continue? Don’t  get frustrated, think, energize and strategize.

6 Steps to reestablish yourself as a leader with perseverance:

  1. Acquire and maintain a mindset of perseverance
  2. Evaluate how you are responding to the status quo (Do you have valid reasons to make a stand?)
  3. Evaluate the current boundaries and barriers (Are the boundaries really barriers that are impeding your or your team’s growth?)
  4. Think about what you want as the final outcome and create a detailed plan
  5. Consult with your wisdom group for coaching and encouragement
  6. Maintain a mindset of perseverance

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
― Maya Angelou