I’ve been talking with a few people stepping into new roles or first time leadership jobs and wow can it feel overwhelming. In can feel like a double whammy with all that’s going on in healthcare right now. In New Zealand, there is an increasing pressure on savings and budgets, as the financial year wraps up at the end of June. It can get distracting and add to the overwhelm. It can also feel like you can’t be the type of leader you want to be.

I’ve been thinking about what tactic, advice or tip is most useful if that’s the situation you find yourself in. In this podcast episode I share some great ideas if it feels like you are drowning.

Here are your first two steps

Grab hold of something that’s floating.

When in the water and you feel like you might drown grabbing hold of something that is close by is an instinct. It’s floating, it’s doing OK. It will give you support and strength and can help you start moving.

• Another person. Remember we’re stronger together. A peer, coach or mentor, set up a time and connect with someone. Get stuff out of your head and it’s instantly clearer.

• Do one thing. Pick something from the list, however small do one thing. Then you’ll start to build momentum.

Put your feet down.

This idea came from someone I was talking with, we laughed as they realised that if you put your feet down, you might find you can stand up. You’re only in knee-deep water. It translated into getting perspective.

• Zoom out, and remind yourself of where you are. Talk to yourself like a good friend would. If you are new into a role you aren’t supposed to know everything that is going on. Cut yourself some slack.

• Think big picture. This generated a heap of ideas on how to think big at times like this. What I came up with was 5 qualities that high-impact leaders have. It’s a list of ways to consider what you are doing from the perspective of the balcony, not the dancefloor.

Being a leader who makes an impact, generates change, inspires others and keeps their head is no easy task. There are lists and lists of skills and ‘things’ to learn. It can feel overwhelming.

Plus, with all the change and disruption that is part and parcel of leading in healthcare, you can never know what skill is going to be needed next.

That’s why focusing on and fine-tuning the how over the what will be the thing that sets you apart as a leader.

Download this summary to get you started and focus on the things that matter.