The Leading Edge:
From Comfort Zone to Leadership Zone

By: Amy J. Malay

Most people have heard of the “comfort zone.” In fact, whether we’ve heard of it or not, most of us probably live in a comfort zone of one kind or another all the time. Maybe it’s the comfort zone of our physical surroundings, or the comfort zone in our conversations, or the comfort zone of our daily routines. One thing I’m learning… leadership requires me to step OUT of my comfort zone.

I’m consistently encouraged by the mentors on The John Maxwell Team to “get comfortable being uncomfortable!” For me, this means intentionally entering uncomfortable surroundings, uncomfortable conversations, and uncomfortable routines. The uncomfortable stretches me to growth, and allows my impact on others to grow. And that puts me in the leadership zone.

Uncomfortable Surroundings
Did you ever notice that we spend a lot of our time in isolated boxes? We leave one box (our home), walk a few steps and get in a mobile box (our car), only to arrive at another box (our workplace). We spend a large part of the day there, and then return to our mobile box, travel to our home box, and spend the rest of the day there. We repeat this process over and over, day by day.
I have found that networking activities help me to get “out of the box.” Visiting new places and meeting new people opens my eyes and my heart to positive events, experiences, and opportunities. It helps me become more aware of what is going on in the world outside my own little world. And when my life includes more than just my own little world, that helps me to have a greater impact on those that ARE in my world.

Uncomfortable Conversations
For me, the most uncomfortable conversation is the one that involves conflict. My tendency is usually to avoid conflict, but, as I grow in leadership skills, I am learning to not only navigate difficult conversations, but to initiate them. My role as a supervisor requires this, and, in spite of the uncomfortable feeling at the beginning, the conversations are very freeing in the end.

These conversations have provided real-life examples for me of the Biblical principle, “The truth shall set you free.” There is freedom not only for me, but for the other person or persons in the conversation. Being a leader means taking the initiative to have the uncomfortable conversations–conversations that have an impact on others.

Uncomfortable Routines
Now, our routines are not necessarily a bad thing. They provide stability and consistency, which are both important in a personal growth plan. However, when I get “stuck” in a routine, it can prevent me from growing. And, to be a better leader, I know I need to grow.

To challenge myself in this area, I began with small changes. I stopped parking in the same parking spot every day. I started taking a different route to work on different days of the week. Sometimes I change the furniture around in my home or office. Bigger stretches for me have included traveling to new cities and countries.

Sometimes, an uncomfortable physical stretch has helped to build my confidence. I’ve participated in “uncomfortable” activities that are outside my normal routine, such as jumping off a 30-foot dock into the ocean, ziplining, rock wall climbing, and a high ropes course.

The Leadership Zone
I know that staying in “the leadership zone” doesn’t happen automatically. The more I take time to reflect on my comfort zones, the more I can be intentional about stepping outside them. The more I push myself past invisible boundaries and self-limiting beliefs, the more I can influence myself and others.

I encourage you to reflect on your own journey. Are you aware of your comfort zones? Are you stepping outside them and into the leadership zone? In one way or another, we are all influencing others as we navigate uncomfortable situations. Let’s do our best to be a positive influence on others. After all, leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.

Amy J. Malay is the Chief Change Leader at Join Me on the Journey, is a certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker with The John Maxwell Team, serves on the Culture Committee of The John Maxwell Team’s President’s Advisory Council, and is the Director of Team Development at a financial planning firm. Amy desires to be an agent of change in others’ lives and businesses. She helps individuals and teams to get “unstuck” in areas where they feel growth is needed. Amy has accumulated over 30 years of business experience in a variety of industries, and is well-equipped to serve in areas such as leadership, communication, team building, and personal growth. Change leadership is her passion… Transformation is the goal!