perplexed; baffled; puzzled (i.e. she gave him a perplexed look).

Most leaders know the feeling very well.

However, many leaders find the feeling very uncomfortable and instead of remaining in the emotion of perplexity and seeking answers, they cross the line into discouragement – bringing onto themselves an emotional funk that renders them useless in helping to solve the situation that perplexes them.

The posters entitled Limited and What We Don’t Know have reminded us already that as leaders we will oftentimes find ourselves without answers. Wise leaders have allowed their comfort zones to be stretched to where they are no longer uncomfortable with the condition of being perplexed but rather openly acknowledge to their trusted advisors that they now need help with alternatives before deciding which direction to go.

Are you comfortable with yourself as a leader being in a state of perplexity and not having the answers (possibly even as those answers are being demanded by your followers)? See the Comfort Zones poster for more on this topic.

Categories: Vitality

Tags: vitality