In the ever-evolving landscape of careers and leadership, change is the only constant. Patrick Mork‘s journey is one built on resilience, purpose, and the pursuit of meaningful work. On a recent episode of “What’s Possible,” we had the privilege of delving into Patrick’s transformative story, exploring the key takeaways that can inspire anyone navigating a career transition or seeking to enhance team performance.
Stepping Back to Propel Forward
Patrick’s journey began with a significant pivot – a layoff from his CMO role at a startup. Rather than succumbing to the setback, Patrick took a proactive approach. He emphasizes the importance of stepping back to evaluate one’s purpose, values, and intrinsic motivations when considering a career change. This introspective process, he believes, lays the foundation for a more fulfilling and purpose-driven professional life.
However, Patrick doesn’t shy away from the power of feedback and accountability. External perspectives from impartial individuals who know you can provide a fresh lens through which to view your strengths, weaknesses, and potential blind spots. In fact, it’s a huge component of his new book “Step Back and LEAP,” which provides people with stories, tools and practical exercises to “help them understand themselves better, align their career and life goals with their purpose and values and make massive transformation in their lives.”
Rather than viewing it as embarrassment, he advocates for embracing failure, or the perception of such, as an integral part of the learning process. This mindset shift encourages individuals to take calculated risks, fostering innovation and growth both at a personal and organizational level.
Coaching for Clarity & Recognizing Change
Drawing from his own experience as an executive coach, Patrick advocates for the transformative power of coaching. He notes that coaching goes beyond providing answers; it involves asking deeper questions to help individuals gain clarity on their goals, values, and aspirations. Through coaching, Patrick found a path to reinvention and a renewed sense of purpose.
How can we pay attention to subtle signs indicating a need for change? Whether it’s a lack of personal or professional growth, feelings of unhappiness, poor leadership dynamics, or a misalignment with company culture, recognizing these signs becomes pivotal in steering one’s career towards a more fulfilling trajectory.
Psychological Safety
Patrick Mork sheds light on the concept of psychological safety, drawing from a Google study called Project Aristotle. The study found that psychological safety, where individuals feel secure in contributing ideas and admitting mistakes, is the primary factor for high-performance teams. Patrick stresses that many organizations struggle to measure or foster psychological safety, hindering their ability to innovate effectively.
Patrick notes a common challenge: many organizations lack the tools to measure or cultivate this crucial aspect. He asserts that fostering an environment where individuals feel safe enough to fail without repercussions is essential for driving innovation and creativity within teams.
Bringing Change Home
By stepping back, seeking feedback, embracing coaching, recognizing signs of change, and fostering psychological safety, individuals and organizations alike can unlock their full potential. As we continue to explore What’s Possible, Patrick Mork’s narrative resonates as a beacon of inspiration for all leaders on their journey toward excellence.
Want to have a deeper conversation about how to implement these steps? Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!
Listen to the episode here:
