The Chair in My Head: A Leadership Lesson on Mindset for Leaders

When I was in high school, a teacher placed a chair at the front of the room and posed what I thought was an absurd question: Which is more real—the chair in front of you or the chair in your head?

The chair in my head? What was she talking about? Clearly, the real chair was the one I could see, touch, and use.

But over the years, that question has stayed with me. And as my perspective has evolved, I’ve come to realize the deeper lesson behind it. Our thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs are not only real—they shape our reality in ways far more powerful than any physical object ever could.

The reality we choose to create starts in our minds.

This idea is at the heart of leadership. The way we interpret challenges, the stories we tell ourselves about our capabilities, and the expectations we hold for our teams define what is possible. A leader who envisions solutions—who sees a way forward when others see roadblocks—creates opportunities where none seemed to exist. The vision in their mind becomes the foundation for action, innovation, and change.

And research backs this up:

• 80% of companies believe fostering a growth mindset directly contributes to increased profits and success. (Forbes)

• Leaders who demonstrate a growth mindset and continuous learning are valued by 62% of employees. (Flair HR, Leadership Statistics)

• Participants in corporate leadership training programs showed a 25% improvement in learning capacity and a 20% boost in overall performance. (Apollo Technical)

Organizations that incorporate mindset into their leadership development programs are nearly twice as likely to have employees who feel they are doing meaningful work compared to those that don't. (Source: Arbinger Institute, "The Ultimate List of Corporate Culture Statistics")

The same holds true for those we lead. When we believe in someone's potential—even before they fully see it in themselves—we influence their ability to grow and succeed. This isn’t just theoretical—a Gallup study found that 70% of the variance in employee engagement is directly related to the manager’s mindset and behavior. (Arbinger Institute, The Ultimate List of Corporate Culture Statistics).

And the impact doesn’t stop there. Teams led by engaging leaders experience higher happiness, trust, and lower burnout levels. (PMC Study on Leadership and Burnout)

If a leader sees only limitations, they will act accordingly, reinforcing those barriers. But if they see potential, strength, and opportunity, they can inspire transformation.

So, back to that chair in my head. At the time, I dismissed it as a philosophical exercise. Now, I understand that in leadership, the ideas we carry, the mindsets we cultivate, and the perspectives we embrace are the most powerful tools we have.

The real question isn’t just which chair is more real—it’s which reality we choose to create.

How do you see challenges?

• A Roadblock-I focus on obstacles
• A Puzzle-I look for solutions
• An )pportunity-Every challenge is a change to grow
• It Depends-My mindset shifts based on the situation

A chair is just a chair… until your perspective turns it into something more.