Want to change yourself or someone else? Explore your beliefs.

Our behavior is rooted in beliefs. 

We often want to change our behavior or someone else’s and are met with resistance. 

Other times when we ask someone to change, we elicit fear and a need to protect a sense of self.

Only when we feel safe enough to change, do we. In addition, sometimes we are often fed up enough to change as well.

Want to change to something about yourself or someone else? Explore the following questions.

• What experiences created the belief?

• What new information do I need to alter my belief?

• What other beliefs are possible?

• Can my core identity stay intact if I change my behavior or belief?

• What are the benefits of changing?

Another way to explore this is with this exercise to challenge our labels and beliefs. 

I equate ______ (Fill in with a label) with _______. (Write a list of how you define the label. Don’t filter yourself.)

Example: 

• I equate being a leader with …

• I equate being successful with …

• I equate being a team member with …

Now question the beliefs. What you wrote down are your conscious and subconscious beliefs. They are often running the show. 

When we talk about wanting to change something, the above questions and exercises can be explored alone, with a coach, or even as a team. When we do it with others, we may see that our beliefs can expand and change when exposed to new information from other people. 

Maybe then we can show up as a more thoughtful, intentional leader who does indeed impact change for the better.