The bridge between who you are and who you’re becoming

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THE ART & SCIENCE OF LEADING SELF
The Power of Distinctions

My friend, I promised you last week that we were kicking off a multi-week series on Mindset where I would outline my entire framework for Mindset development. Well, I’m a woman of my word, so let’s get started. 💪🏽

First, why focus on Mindset first? Because it is the foundation of the 4 key leadership capacities that will transform your leadership.

If you want to develop more Courage, start with Mindset.

If you want to cultivate more Resilience, start with Mindset.

If you are seeking to drive Innovation within yourself, your team, or both, start with Mindset.

So, yes, we will take deeper dives on the other leadership capacities and related topics, but we are building a house, so the foundation matters.

The Foundation 🧱

Last week, we established the operating space for our framework. We did this by revisiting M = f(m), the equation that reminds us that Mindset is a function of mindfulness. As a part of that, I planted 3 questions for you to consider if you were still on the fence about the role of mindfulness in mindset work:

→ How can you intentionally influence your mindset if you're not aware of what's happening in your mind?

→ How can you choose different responses if you don't notice your patterns?

→ How can you develop emotional regulation if your efforts at self-observation result in you being caught up in fleeting thoughts?

If you came up with an answer to all 3 that allows you to skip past mindfulness, please reply to this email and share it with me. 😉

Establishing the Frame: The Skeleton of the House 💀

So, imagine a large rectangular space. That large space represents M = f(m). It is the space in which the conditions for mindset work are present.

What lives within that space? Well, let’s draw a slightly smaller rectangle. That smaller rectangle houses a critical awareness that I believe functions like a bridge to all meaningful Mindset shifts.

Why equate it to a bridge? Because when you try to skip it in your mindset work, you drive off a cliff.

What lives in that smaller rectangle?

It’s your ability to make the subject-object shift. I referenced it briefly in this past issue. Now, we’re going to go deeper.

First, it’s important to share that Robert Kegan’s work on the subject-object shift is foundational in the field of adult development psychology. It builds on Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory.

What’s at the heart of Kegan’s work? His subject-object theory offers a framework for how people grow psychologically by changing their relationship to their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

He points out that at any stage of development, you are subject to certain things. What does that mean? It means you identify so closely with them that you are not able to see them clearly or reflect on them.

Over time, with intentional effort, you can shift what is subject to object, which means that you can now view it as something you can observe, examine, question, and work with because you see it as distinct from yourself.

Kegan’s core insight is: Development happens when you can take something you were previously subject to and make it object.

Translation: Development happens when you shift from something unconsciously shaping your experience to being able to reflect on, evaluate, and engage with it.

That’s how you become more self-aware, adaptable, and capable of handling complexity.

Mindset Impact 🧠

So, why I am I asserting that the subject-object shift is the frame within M = f(m), the framework within which all mindset work occurs? Consider the following:

When you say, “I am overwhelmed,” you are subject to the experience of overwhelm. That means you are fused with it. There’s no distance, no perspective, just the felt reality of being consumed by pressure or uncertainty.

Impact on mindset:

Because you are overwhelmed, your perceptual lens narrows. You view challenges through the overwhelm, not alongside it. Options feel limited. Everything may seem urgent or unmanageable. The only “action” available is to endure or escape.

Now imagine a subtle shift:

“I notice I feel overwhelmed.”

This shift marks a move from subject to object. Overwhelm is no longer the lens. It becomes something the leader can see and explore.

Impact on mindset:

By making overwhelm object, you expand your perceptual field. You can now ask, “What’s driving this feeling? What can I influence? What support or structure might reduce this load?” Suddenly, new options for action emerge. Those options are rooted in clarity rather than reactivity.

In short:

When you are subject to a mindset, it shapes you.

When you make it object, you can shape it.

This is why the subject-object shift is the frame of all mindset work. This shift is what enables you to design your response rather than be driven by it.

Next Week: The mindset series continues! 🎉 We’re going to breakdown a critical element that directly impacts your agility, resilience, and courage. It’s also a decisive ingredient for innovation. 🤔

FROM INSIGHT TO ACTION
Putting It Into Practice

Steps to support the subject-object shift:

1. Name the Feeling

   Say or write: “I feel _____.”

   (Example: “I feel overwhelmed.”)

2. Notice It, Don’t Be It

   Shift to: “I notice I feel _____.”

   Now, it’s something you can work with, not something that controls you.

3. Ask One Question

   → “What’s one small step I can take right now?”

   This helps you shift from reacting to choosing.

DEEPENING YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Resources for You

📚 A foundational text on subject-object theory (Link)

⭐️ A case for the developmental perspective in leadership (Link)

🔍 Another lens through you which view Kegan’s work (Link)

EXCELLENCE UNBOUNDED
How I Can Help You

High-performing executive teams don’t happen by chance. They happen by design.

If you’re ready to take action to design an aligned team that is empowered to drive 58% faster revenue growth, is 1.9x more likely to achieve above-average financial performance, and has higher employee engagement, let’s talk.

Book a call to learn more about The Executive Alignment Playbook 🚀, an immersive, experiential leadership program.

Align your leadership team. Accelerate execution. Drive measurable results.

🎤 Speaking Engagements: My mom can attest to the fact that I LOVE to talk. 😂 Now, I put that talent to work delivering talks on Mindset, Courage, Resilience, & Innovation.

A few past clients include KraftHeinz, Amazon Women @ Payments, PAHEi, & the Panamá Chapter of the International Coaching Federation (I delivered this talk in Spanish).

If you are interested in having me speak at your event, please fill out this form.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD 📢

Until next Sunday,

Shawnette