Einstein was a man who transformed our understanding of the universe and taught us that our perspective shapes our reality. This hits the nail on the head for leaders. The way we see the world totally  shapes how we tackle tough times, celebrate wins, and inspire and guide the people around us.

The first path involves believing that nothing is a miracle, which breeds cynicism. It's the path of "that's just the way it is" and "good things don't happen easily." This leader views obstacles as insurmountable, and progress as slow and hard to reach. Their teams lack motivation and stagnate, reflecting their own lack of wonder.

 

The second path, which regards everything as a miracle, is the path of possibility. It's the path of "wow, look what we've accomplished!" and "the potential is limitless." This leader is inspired by the beauty and complexity of the world, from the daily sunrise to the idle time in traffic to a current challenge that fuels innovation. They motivate their teams to see the extraordinary in the everyday, cultivating a culture of creativity, gratitude, and resilience.

Now, I am not advocating blind optimism. Great leaders are both realists and “realizers”. They see both challenges and opportunities and use the power of wonder to navigate them and find ways to make their vision a reality.

Here's how leaders can cultivate this "miracle mindset":

 

Practice Gratitude: Recognize small victories, unexpected connections, and team strengths every day.

Cultivate Curiosity: See every obstacle as an exciting problem waiting to be cracked, brimming with valuable lessons to be learned.

Be A Visionary: Envision a future full of possibilities and inspire your team to believe in their ability to achieve it.

Choose to lead with wonder. Choose to see miracles. Because when you do, you'll not only transform your own experience, but you'll ignite the brilliance within your team, and together, you'll achieve the extraordinary.