The Power of Saying What's So: A Leadership Perspective

At Archer & Associates, we understand that leaders often find themselves caught up in the whirlwind of setting goals, making plans, and driving their teams towards success. However, amidst all this hustle, it is crucial to pause and reflect on our current reality. This is where the concept of 'saying what's so' becomes invaluable. It involves acknowledging the present moment, understanding where we stand, and using that clarity to move forward effectively.

It is essential to say what's so without judgment. This requires sitting with the reality of the situation and expressing it honestly. We avoid jumping to conclusions or making judgments, focusing instead on the facts and not letting emotions cloud our perception. For instance, during a recent coaching session with Ava, she had a tendency to leap to the emotional meaning of events rather than staying with the facts. This is a common challenge for many individuals, including leaders. We often extrapolate our past experiences and future expectations onto the present moment, which can lead to unnecessary stress and frustration. We get caught up in a story we are telling about what happened instead of just stating the facts of what happened.

Saying what's so helps in managing overwhelm. As leaders, we are often the bridge between upper management and our teams. We have to interpret directives from above and communicate them effectively to our teams. This can be challenging, especially when the reality of the situation is difficult. For example, consider times when a product is not meeting expectations. It's a tough pill to swallow, but acknowledging this reality allows us to address the issues head-on and find solutions.

One of the most powerful questions is "What has your attention right now?" This question helps to bring focus to the present moment and identify the key issues that need to be addressed. It's a simple yet effective way to practice saying what's so. For example, with Ava, it was important to say what was so with regard to specific key vendor relationships that were not working. It became clear that there was an alignment mismatch between her actual needs and what her vendor was capable of delivering. Ava was experiencing frustration, disappointment, and anxiety being unable to meet her tactical goals without the right support. By saying what's so, she knew that she needed to quickly source a vendor that would be a better fit for the current business need.

Through this practice, our clients, like Ava, learn to recognize the noise in their lives and make conscious choices about what to focus on. They realize that by identifying what they can control, they are able to take proactive steps to navigate their challenges. This process of saying what's so helps them move from a place of overwhelm to a place of empowerment, where they are able to make informed decisions and lead with clarity and confidence.

If you are interested in learning more about how 1:1 leadership coaching can help you or your organization, please contact Archer & Associates today. Our experienced coaches are here to support you in navigating your leadership journey with clarity and confidence.