Nature is abundance. We were born into abundance. Scarcity is a human creation. The idea that for us to thrive, we will have to take others’ resources and opportunities is a scarcity mindset product of thinking. So is capitalism, market creation and capturing, target audience, dysfunctional organizations, fearful approach, lack of self-worth. Ask yourself, do you see opportunities and aim bigger than you have imagined. Or do you merely, watch, acclimatize and adjust with a limiting view.
When you lead a company and not run it, you manage the vision and mindset of the organization. Leading from the place of abundant mindset, you only see possibilities and future opportunities. On the other hand, with scarcity comes preservation of status quo, limiting challenges and compliance and complacency. Vision based thinking has its roots in feeling of abundance and empowerment. Dearth based thinking has its roots in feeling of scarcity and deficiencies. Your team and organizations will be a direct outcome and a version of where your roots are.
Scarcity mindset leaders often take the route of, “For me to win, others have to lose.” It completely misses the expansive possibilities that can be made possible and available just by mere shift of one gear in thinking where both you and I win. There are few signs of where your leaders are placing their thinking. Observe if:
- They are merely preserving the status quo.
- Acclimatizing to familiar and avoiding new frontiers and risks.
- Comfortable and enclosed within boundaries of set thoughts.
How can we adopt Abundance Mindset and Reject Scarcity Mindset
- Cultivating awareness of your thoughts/language – are your thoughts based on lack, scarcity or fear or trust and possibilities?
- Appreciation and Gratitude – let them know how much you value their contribution. The more genuine appreciation you give to individuals, the more positive influence you will have and more your team will want to do more.
- Opportunity against hoarding– the next time your team experiences a set-back, flip it around to see opportunity. Problems will disappear and options will be created.
- Nurture your tribe and cultivate your inner circle – be around people who exude an attitude of flourishing and thriving. Connect with the people who share your Abundance Mindset.
Leading with an abundance mindset embraces security, collaboration, trust, sharing, peace, responsibility and confidence and scarcity mindset has entanglements of competition, mistrust, blame, hoarding, politics, dearth, insecurities. It’s up to us, how we pick to lead in a vulnerable world. I will leave you with this quote by Bonnie Bakhtiari, “Scarcity tells us, in order to do more, we have to constantly hustle, but instead, let’s lean into this truth that there is abundance if we simply open it.”
