I recently read a McKinsey article on organizational transformation. The article led me to ask a question. Could the principles that help companies transform offer insights that can help an individual’s personal transformation?
The McKinsey article mentioned elements like creating bold aspirations and building long-term capabilities. But what caught my attention was how these same principles also show up in personal transformation, especially for those of us trying to integrate our professional and spiritual lives. Both organizational and personal transformation share one essential ingredient: courage.
This connection particularly resonated with me because of my experience with bivocational leaders. These are leaders who feel called to operate at high levels in both their professional career and spiritual mission. They understand transformation in a unique way, as they're constantly integrating different aspects of their lives and purpose.
Finding the Courage to Change
Let's talk about courage first, because without it, transformation is just a nice idea. The "courage to change" is that gut-level willingness to let go of who you are now to become who you're meant to be. This courage comes when you start believing in yourself enough to choose potential over comfort.
The "courage to change" is that gut-level willingness to let go of who you are now to become who you're meant to be.
Courage is what I call a “look-back” value. You don’t always recognize it in the moment but often see it as you look back over your life. You will recognize it as the moments when you chose to act instead of being afraid. Early in my journey, I thought courage only came when you eliminate fear. Now, I understand that courage is the ability to act even while fear is present. In fact, when fear is present, it’s often a sign that you’re on the right path.
If you're leading in both professional and spiritual contexts, you know this kind of courage well. It's what gets you up early for prayer before heading to strategy meetings. It's what helps you maintain excellence in your career while still investing deeply in your spiritual mission. Courage is a muscle you build that strengthens over time.
Courage is a muscle you build that strengthens over time.
There’s a powerful biblical principle that supports this: faith without works is dead. You can believe and dream all you want, but without the courage to act, transformation doesn’t happen. Every step forward, no matter how small, is an act of defiance against the fears that try to hold you back.
Courage to Create An Integrated Vision
Once you've found the courage to change, you need a clear picture of where you're going. I call this your "integrated vision." Your integrated vision is more than what you want to achieve. It’s who you want to become. For bivocational leaders, this vision needs to weave together professional excellence and spiritual calling into something uniquely yours.
Keeping different parts of your life in separate boxes isn’t real freedom. You find the sweet spot where everything works together.
Here's what's cool about being bivocational: you're already practicing the art of integration. You know firsthand that keeping different parts of your life in separate boxes isn’t real freedom. You find the sweet spot where everything works together.
Find Courage to Change in the Wisdom Loop
Extracting wisdom from life requires courage. I teach a reflection process called “the wisdom loop" that helps clients extract wisdom from difficult experiences. Wisdom doesn’t happen automatically as a result of years of experience. As T.S. Eliot noted, "You can have the experience but miss the meaning."
For bivocational leaders, wisdom can be amplified through your integrated disciplines. A principle learned in business might illuminate a spiritual truth, or a spiritual insight might transform a professional approach. But this wisdom is only accessible if we have the courage to become self-aware.
Self-awareness requires us to look deeply at ourselves and examine how our thoughts and actions align with our identity and internal standards. Courage is often needed because anything that challenges our identity can generate insecurity. It can show up in subtle ways.
Courage is often needed because anything that challenges our identity can generate insecurity.
I experienced insecurity during an assignment in my graduate program for organization coaching. We were asked to write an autobiography and reflect on how it could impact our coaching. I wrote about growing up in a poor family of 8 kids. I had to revisit wrestling with a poverty mindset that attempted to control every aspect of my life. It forced me to confront hidden fears. But through that process, I grew in self-awareness and became a better leader and coach because of it.
By accepting our entire story, both the painful parts and the good ones, we create space for real growth and wisdom.
Courage to Share Your Story
Another place where courage is needed is when you share your story.
Share your victories. Share your struggles. Share about things you have overcome.
Share your strategies for building new skills and keeping your commitments.
By sharing your experiences, both the warnings and the way forward, you not only help others but also deepen your own transformation.
Reflection Prompts to Build Courage for Towards Your Transformation
Your transformation journey begins with recognizing where you need courage right now.
Consider:
Where are you feeling the tension between comfort and potential?
What integrated vision excites and challenges you?
How can you create regular reflection practices to capture wisdom?
What steps can you take to fuel your faith and commitment?
Use courage to grow your personal transformation. You got this!
To get coached on this topic, book a session with me.
For more on how to integrate courage into your professional and spiritual life, please watch this video.
