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There’s no question that more of us are working longer than ever before with a disability or a limiting condition. This means changing our perspective on our own productivity and being willing to see ourselves leading with a disability. People with disabilities should be ready to reach for the brass ring as they make up a larger part of the executive team.
In the era of the big quit, employers are more willing than ever to hire diverse candidates with exceptional needs and limitations. The reason? Many people with disabilities have already proven that they can exceed expectations in their personal lives and at work.
But are you ready to take the next big step and use your strengths gained through adversity to strive for a leadership role? Here are four mindsets you need to take the plunge and expand your vision beyond the invisible barriers that hold you back.
Related: How Physical Disability Helped Me Become a VC-Assisted Tech Founder
Table of Contents
1. Be creative
There’s no better opportunity to showcase your creativity than the journey through progressive visual impairment, multiple sclerosis, or autism spectrum disorder. Whatever your limitation, finding creative solutions is the key to every closed door, every blocked opportunity and every maladaptive location.
Many disabled people get up much earlier than non-disabled workers; for a person with multiple sclerosis, getting dressed can take more than twice as long as most people take. A legally blind manager has to listen to emails read through speech recognition technology, while most people visually scan the most important messages and easily discard the rest.
Since you have found creative solutions to overcome obstacles in your personal journey, you can take this creativity to the next level. If you’ve considered competing for a leadership position, use your creative side to discover new methods and embrace innovation. Your adaptability and willingness to explore new technology will propel you to new levels of efficiency. You can be a beacon to others who want to get more out of their careers. You are a hurricane of inspiration; you have learned to face change with confidence rather than fear.
Related: How to Be More Creative in Your Business
2. Bring your perspective
Now that you’ve proven that your disability doesn’t define you, it’s time to take advantage of the level of mindfulness you gained on your journey. Your natural mindset is an awareness of employees’ stress as they go about their day. Decisions will be made about how the work will be done. Accessibility and accommodation are already part of your wheelhouse. You come into a managerial position with an edge. Look around your workplace and see what needs to be redefined. Can small changes make a big difference in how team members work together?
Perhaps living with a disability has taught you how to leverage strengths and weaknesses for maximum output. You can discover hidden potential and get the most productivity out of others because you have overcome the obstacles in your own life. You’ve learned to complement your team members’ traits, demanding more of yourself while stepping back to let others shine when the time is right. This is the essence of leading with empathy, guiding people to accept each other’s gifts and deal with each other’s shortcomings. You’ll be the first to admit that we’re all a mix of both. Other executives will want to study your leadership style as you take the next step.
3. Speak for yourself
Part of living with a disability is learning to stand up for yourself and discovering strength in your vulnerability. You will excel at negotiating and motivating people because you can empathize and empathize with those who struggle and celebrate their victories.
You may think that sharing your journey through a disability or chronic illness can draw unwanted attention or put you in a weakened position in the eyes of others. If you’re pursuing a leadership role, you may fear that telling your story will risk everything you work for. What’s intriguing is how often a person’s journey weighs heavily in decision making. The ability to move people with your struggles and connect authentically with others who have gone through adverse circumstances is often the deciding factor when business leaders seek leadership roles. Most importantly, you will be a source of inspiration to people at all levels in the company. Finding your voice is essential to bonding with employees and helping them feel part of the company community.
For you, “speaking up” can mean asking for the role you want or arguing for your ideas. Learn to talk about your worth and make your mark on the team. Finding your voice is the best way to position yourself for opportunities. You should be able to explain why you should get the job, why your idea will succeed, and why your story is important.
Related: Should You Negotiate? Here’s the best way to advocate for yourself for maximum impact.
4. Measure your impact
What is your legacy at work? Are you known as an overcomer, an advocate or a leader with a fresh perspective? You can measure your value to your workplace by taking stock of the impact, the “footprint” you’ve made in your company, no matter how big or small the company is. It’s never too late to change your legacy. Perhaps in the beginning you started to get your feet under you and discover your ingenuity. Now is the time to broaden your vision and think about how you can make your mark in business and life. This is an opportunity to live what you have learned and be aware of the legacy you leave for the future.
Think about how you can make a difference and become a force for good when you finally move into a bigger role. It is good practice to prepare yourself mentally to step into leadership. You served and observed, took notes, and promised yourself that if you ever reached a position of power, you would advocate for those who needed it. Your tendency to recognize the strengths of others despite their vulnerability allows you to comfortably take charge with a heart full of compassion for those who may also want to rise above their circumstances and see their dreams come true.
Finally, go with confidence
If you’re aiming for a position in leadership, let your confidence shine. After all, you’ve encountered bigger enemies than unmotivated employees or a sluggish sales report. You fought for your life and came out victorious. Enter your new role with the same strength and bold attitude you showed everyone else, the positive outlook that helped you stay in the ring, refusing to get carried away by pain, fear or frustration. The culture is changing as companies learn to honor exceptional people while honoring diversity in the workplace. As a disabled worker, you can confidently lead, chart a new course and blaze new trails for anyone who dreams of overcoming adversity and reaching new horizons in leadership.
