| I’m fortunate enough to go to a gym with a swimming pool and a sauna. I absolutely love it. However, it’s an ageing infrastructure, and things tend to break quite often, like the timer outside the sauna. It takes a “long time” to get things repaired, only for them to stop working again shortly after, and therefore it creates a palpable but insidious tension. So when the sauna’s timer broke once more last year, frustration and sarcasm rose quickly. A repair request had been lodged by the gym to their operations, and things were following their “normal” (read painfully slow and procedural) process and we could be months away from a fix. So, instead of adding my voice to the growing grumble, I simply picked up a cheap replacement clock from a nearby store, walked over to the reception, and handed it over without any fanfare. All in all, it took me less than an hour, created no unnecessary fuss, and solved the problem at least until they could repair the digital clock properly. |
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| It might seem like such a tiny moment in the grand scheme of things, but it served as a powerful reminder that we do not always need permission from the top to address what is clearly broken right in front of us. In those large organisations where the overall culture can sometimes feel very heavy, toxic, or simply stuck in its ways with processes dragging along at a snail’s pace and energy levels dipping lower than expected the temptation to vent and complain becomes all too real, does it not? Yet, as a leader even if your domain is limited to just your own team you have the capacity to carve out your own island of calm, a deliberate and nurturing pocket where positivity flourishes and productivity can truly thrive, no matter the broader chaos swirling around. 1- Set Clear Boundaries You can begin by establishing clear boundaries, such as implementing a policy of no after-hours emails to safeguard everyone’s precious downtime, or carving out dedicated focus blocks where interruptions are kept firmly at bay. 2- Speak with Genuine Respect From there, commit to speaking with genuine respect: make it a habit to practise active listening during meetings, to acknowledge each person’s contributions without a hint of judgement. 3- Celebrate Wins (even Small ones!) And do not forget to celebrate those small wins along the way: a quick shoutout in a team huddle for meeting a tight deadline, or perhaps a shared coffee break dedicated to reflecting on what went well and why. These practices are not about sweeping gestures that demand attention; they are about cultivating consistent habits that quietly build trust among your people and steadily reduce the everyday frictions that wear everyone down. In time, that one consistent island of clarity you have created can transform into the much-needed calm at the centre of the storm and remarkably, it begins to spread outward through simple, everyday modelling, where team members start to notice, adopt these approaches themselves, and carry them forward, generating ripples that extend their influence well beyond your immediate circle. This is not just anecdotal wisdom; research from the MIT Sloan Management Review supports it directly, with a comprehensive study that analysed millions of employee reviews revealing how toxic cultures can drive resignation rates up to ten times higher than issues related to compensation alone, but that intentionally addressing these subcultures much like building these islands of calm can dramatically reduce attrition while boosting overall engagement by fostering environments of psychological safety and positive, supportive norms. Then there is that timeless classic from this video: picture one solitary person dancing freely on a hill, looking perhaps a bit odd or out of place at first glance. But then, almost magically, the first follower steps in and joins the dance. Suddenly, before you know it, the crowd begins to form and follow suit. True leadership is not always about being the one to boldly start the movement from scratch. Sometimes, it is about stepping up as that crucial first follower, choosing to show up fully even when it would be far easier to hold back and stay on the sidelines. |
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And research reinforces this idea as well studies delving into the intricacies of social dynamics demonstrate that an early, visible commitment from just one or two individuals can spark dramatic increases in participation from others, much like the phenomenon of neural mirroring in teams where people naturally begin to copy and emulate the behaviours they see being modelled around them. It is not some kind of elusive magic at play here; it is simply the way we humans are wired to connect and respond. So here is my invitation to you: the next time you find yourself on the verge of venting about the culture, the processes, or even that persistently broken clock… take a deliberate pause. Ask yourself: What is it that I truly want to change in this situation? Where exactly is the friction manifesting most intensely whether in my team dynamics, my daily routines, or perhaps even in my own reactions and responses? What small, actionable step could I take right now to lead that shift myself, or to join in as the first follower supporting someone else’s positive initiative? And how might the act of building that island of calm play out in my own world perhaps through something as straightforward as a weekly check-in that prioritises open, real talk, or by setting a simple boundary around response times to emails? Self-trust, after all, is not about making loud proclamations or dramatic stands; it is about making the quiet decision to show up anyway, while reflecting deeply on what falls truly within your sphere of influence. Every great change in the world starts with one person choosing to embody it fully, be that spark yourself, and watch as the world around you begins to transform in ways you never anticipated. To your success, Lison xX |
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| If this sparks something for you, here’s how we can work together: Discover the secrets to skyrocketing your team’s performance in my free Masterclass! Join me on the 12th of March to talk high-performance strategies and walk away with actionable tools to inspire and empower your team. Register here. Join my 1-1 coaching program designed to elevate your performance, leadership, and positioning. Whether you’re looking to gain clarity, strengthen your leadership presence, or take your career to the next level, I’ll help you achieve tangible results. Book a call to explore how we can work together here. Book one of my workshops or keynotes for your team to elevate energy and performance. More information here. With my first book Act Before You overThink to learn how to make better decisions faster and liberate your mind from the constant chatter that hinders your potential. You can buy it here. |
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