Introduction

Welcome back to part three of this four-part series on leadership, work, consciousness, and inspired thinking. In this discussion, we explore the profound difference between inspired thinking and the conventional mindset that many people struggle with daily. If you’re looking to remove struggle, uncertainty, and doubt from your life, it begins with learning to think inspired. However, inspired thinking is not about simply thinking differently; it’s about reimagining the world in a way that aligns with your highest potential, even when that means breaking away from societal norms.

The Trap of Societal Expectations

Today’s discussion centres around the judgments and expectations imposed by society and how they shape our imagination and potential. For many people, the desire to fit in and be accepted leads to an internal conflict—they want to belong and think like everyone else but simultaneously want to be different and unique. This paradox can tie people up in knots, preventing them from reaching their full potential.

True leadership and personal growth require breaking free from these limitations and redefining them. It’s not just about escaping societal judgments; it’s about turning perceived negatives into strengths. One of the most transformative aspects of leadership is witnessing someone begin to believe in their own potential, especially when society has judged or written them off.

Overcoming Early Struggles and Building Self-Belief

I can relate to this from personal experience. Growing up in the back blocks of Mildura, I attended a school where I was different from most of the other kids. Coming from a loving but modest background, I found myself in a school where many of the children were either Aboriginal or the children of immigrants from Italy and Greece. The environment was tough—both socially and academically—and I struggled to fit in as a latecomer. My self-esteem hit severely, and I began to doubt my abilities in every area, from academics to sports.

However, I found a small spark of self-belief in my father’s garage, where he allowed me to help with mechanical tasks. Though I was likely only loosening already loose bolts, these small acts of perceived competence began to rebuild my confidence. That belief eventually became a lifelong passion, leading me to become a mechanical engineer.

The lesson here is powerful: the belief you instil in others can change their lives. Leaders see beyond people’s limitations and help them discover their potential. We must treat people not as they see themselves but as we believe they can become. This approach fosters an environment where people are defined not by society’s judgments but by their potential.

The Importance of Seeing Beyond the Surface

In leadership, it’s essential to challenge the status quo and see the brilliance in those we lead. People may be poor at one thing but brilliant at another. By focusing on their strengths and believing in their potential, we empower them to rise above their circumstances and achieve what they once thought was impossible. This perspective is crucial, especially when dealing with failure.

Failure is an inevitable part of life, but how we interpret and respond to it defines us. Many times, when we fail, it’s not just the event itself that causes pain—it’s the reinforcement of the negative judgments we already held about ourselves. Whether it’s missing a goal in sports, making a mistake at work, or even experiencing a significant life setback like losing a job or ending a relationship, these events can reignite old self-doubts.

However, failure is not the end. It’s an opportunity. The word “failure” is merely a perception, and within every failure lies the seed of success. It’s not about simply surviving failure; it’s about seeing it as a new direction, a chance to reassess, clean up, and move forward without carrying the baggage of past mistakes.

From Failure to Success: A Personal Journey

My own journey is a testament to the transformative power of failure. Straight out of university, I secured my first job as an environmental engineer with Australian Portland Cement in Geelong. My partner and I moved to Geelong, rented a house, and settled into our new life. However, when I arrived at the job, I was told they had mistakenly hired two Chris Walkers—one with 20 years of experience and me, a fresh graduate. I was sent home without a job.

This unexpected setback forced me to find work on a production line at Ford, a far cry from my engineering ambitions. For six months, I worked long hours in a physically demanding job while writing letters every night, seeking a position more aligned with my skills. Eventually, I landed a job with an American company called HUYCK, leading to incredible opportunities, including international travel and a wealth of experience I would never have gained had I stayed at Australian Portland Cement.

But this wasn’t the end of my trials. After three years at HUYCK, I faced another significant challenge when I refused to falsify an expense report. My refusal led to my dismissal, leaving me once again without a job. However, this moment of failure opened the door to an even greater opportunity. Shortly after, I ran into a former colleague who offered me a sales position at an air pollution control company. I bought the business within a year, turning it into a global success.

Had I not failed at Australian Portland Cement or lost my job at HUYCK, I would never have achieved the level of success I eventually did. These failures were not setbacks but redirections that guided me to greater opportunities.

Embracing Failure as a Leader

As leaders, it’s essential to understand that failure is not something to fear but to embrace. It’s a guide that can lead us to new directions and greater successes. When we view failure through this lens, we can help those we lead to see it as an opportunity for growth rather than a confirmation of their limitations.

Staying true to our vision, even in the face of failure, ensures that our leadership is effective and trustworthy. When those we lead see us embrace failure and use it to fuel our growth, they are inspired to do the same.

Conclusion: The Power of Inspired Thinking

Inspired thinking allows us to see beyond the immediate and the conventional. It enables us to turn challenges into opportunities and failures into stepping stones for greater success. As we continue this journey of conscious leadership, remember that every failure is an opportunity for growth, and every challenge is a chance to redefine what is possible.

 

Redefining Failure: The Core of Conscious Leadership

One of the most critical beliefs in leadership is that failure is not the end—it’s simply a redirection. When you view failure as a steering mechanism rather than a dead end, you open up new avenues for growth and success. This perspective is at the core of conscious leadership. As leaders, we must redefine value not based on conventional success metrics but on authenticity, resilience, and the ability to inspire others.

The Power of Redefining Value

Throughout my journey, I’ve had to reinvent myself numerous times, continually redefining what is valuable in my life and work. This process is about personal reinvention and redefining what matters most in our businesses and ourselves. When we shift our focus from conventional success metrics to what truly resonates with our core values, we unlock new possibilities for innovation, personal growth, and making a real impact.

This redefinition is the essence of living an inspired life and practicing conscious leadership. It’s about seeing potential in every person and situation, even when they don’t see it themselves. This perspective expands your influence—the final step in the Back on Track process—and allows you to lead in an authentic and transformative way.

Engaging in Conscious Conversations

One of the most powerful tools in conscious leadership is engaging in conscious conversations, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like failure. These conversations are not just about dispensing advice but about being fully present and showing genuine compassion for struggling people. Whether someone is grappling with societal judgments or personal setbacks, your role as a leader is to help them see their situation from a new perspective.

When someone feels like they’ve failed, approaching them with empathy, not arrogance, is essential. It’s not about proving how well you handled a similar situation but treating them as you wish they could become. By doing so, you offer them a chance to redefine their narrative and see their struggles as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

The Power of Words: Healing, Inspiring, and Transforming

Your words as a leader carry immense power. They can heal, inspire, and transform those who hear them. But delivering these words requires a delicate balance—especially when the person you’re speaking to is vulnerable. Imagine giving a pill to a sick dog; if you hand it over plainly, the dog will spit it out. But if you hide the pill in food the dog enjoys, it will swallow it without resistance.

This metaphor is crucial in leadership. When someone is going through a tough time, your compassion must be communicated in a language they can absorb and accept. Your true intent—to heal, inspire, and transform—might need to be subtly woven into your conversation rather than stated outright. By embedding these “pills” of wisdom into your words, you can help others without overwhelming them, guiding them through their difficulties with care and understanding.

Final Thoughts: Leadership in Action

Conscious leadership is about embracing the messiness of life, staying true to your values, and leading others through both good times and bad. It’s about recognizing that failure is not a setback but a guide, steering us in new, often better, directions. It’s about engaging with others in a way that lifts them up, helping them see beyond their current struggles to the potential that lies within them.

As we conclude this discussion, remember that every conversation you have is an opportunity to make a difference. Keep it real, keep it messy, and keep practising the art of conscious leadership. Share this message with someone who might need it—someone struggling or facing a significant challenge. Let them know that what seems like a failure could be the start of something incredible.

This is Chris Walker. Have a beautiful day. Bye for now.