“My greatest challenge has been to
change the mindset of people. Mindsets play strange tricks on us. We see things
the way our minds have instructed our eyes to see.” ― Muhammad Yunus
In November 2015, I met Manoj who is
one of my die-hard followers for more than a decade. He lives with his wife and daughter in a
small town. When I met him at his home, he was very much excited. He told me
about the people and challenges he encountered in the college and the problems
he encountered with his relatives in his native place. I listened to him patiently
for some time and counseled him not to focus too much on individuals and
issues. I advised him to focus on ideas to grow quickly in life. I shared with
him not to dwell too much on past which cannot be changed but to focus on
future. Although he did not appreciate
my suggestions initially he realized that there was substance in my
suggestions.
I told him to bring a notepad to jot
down my ideas and insights. He eagerly
brought it and sat beside me with curiosity. I asked him couple of questions
such as what he wants to achieve in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, and in his
lifetime. He never expected me that I would ask him such thought provoking questions.
He started sharing his ambitions and goals. I trifurcated them into personal,
professional and social categories. I
probed him further to find out what he wants; what he wants to achieve in life;
and what he would like to be remembered for. He started thinking deeply and
finally came out with several responses. By then he developed clarity about his
goals, and how he wants to lead the rest of his life.
Subsequently I advised him to invest a
fixed amount of time for accomplishing those goals and work in those directions
despite deviations and challenges that are likely to come up on his way. He was
excited with my counseling and coaching because he never had clarity about his
goals until then and didn’t ink his goals. Finally, I asked him what he thinks
about me. He said that I help people to dream and achieve big. I share my knowledge with people and enlighten
them to lead life effectively. I guide and groom next generation of leaders. He
added that I have the ability to inspire and change the mindset of the people.
Remember, anybody can share their
knowledge with others but what is challenging is to change the mindset of the
people. And it requires passion and purpose to make a difference in the lives
of people. Here are some tools and techniques to change mindset.
Tools
and Techniques to Change Mindset
Use affirmative worlds. Speak in simple
sentences with action verbs. Share your ideas and insights with anecdotes and
inspiring stories of successful people. Build confidence in others. Help them
set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound) goals.
Encourage them to accomplish them. Contribute your best to inspire them. Don’t
expect anything in return. Enlighten them
about the advantage of changing their mindset. It helps them come out of their
comfort zone to achieve the desired outcome.
It is the tendency of the people to
resist change. They don’t accept new things as they cause discomfort to them.
Hence, share couple of inspiring examples of successful leaders who reinvented
and achieved greatness by changing their mindsets. In this way, you can change
people’s mindset and behavior.
Conclusion
Educators must not only share their
knowledge but also change the mindset of their students to impact and inspire
students. All that requires is extra passion to make a difference in the lives
of students. To conclude, changing the mindset of people is not challenging
when people are passionate about sharing their ideas and insights, and at the
same time others are willing to be transformed to achieve excellence and
desired outcome.
“Great minds discuss ideas. Average
minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
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Life is great!
Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR
Leadership Consultants India
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You did good thing. You are born for students.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteYou are an international youth legend born to inspire the global youth.