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Live. Learn. Lead.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there with open arms and open eyes. — Incubus, Drive I was given the suggestion that you hire passion and train skill. Passion. Curiosity. Engagement. These are qualities that seem inherent to an individual nature. While a leader can influence their growth, they tend to either be present or not. I’ve learned this the hard way. We’ve all seen the reverse of such encouragement as well. People who have had their joie de vivre drained out of them. How does it happen? Start by them being shown no appreciation for their unique talents. Add some measure of uncertainty around their role or value in an organization. Implement processes that inhibit…
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Data to Wisdom
Lately there has been a great deal of emphasis placed on data. We are inundated with up to the minute statistics. Percentage points gained and lost on political campaigns, standardized test scores, and municipal crime rates fill our news feeds. The media has embraced a philosophy that maintains adding a data point legitimizes any story. The implication being that res ipsa loquitur…the “data” speaks for itself. While data in the form of facts and figures is important, it is only part of a story. Adding context to data give us information…more illuminating that simple data. Add the passage of time, and information becomes knowledge. In this way, we moved from data as singular facts,…
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Swimmers
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own heart. –Albert Einstein Swimming is not intuitive for most humans. Our physiology isn’t designed for it–no webbing or gills. And yet…with a longing for water, we learn to swim. We practice. We take lessons and swim laps. Until, the unnatural becomes natural. Knowing our own opinion and expressing it, can require a similar discipline. With competing voices seeking our loyalty, it is at times difficult to discern our own preferences. If we are able to sort through the clamor to a singular idea or focus, there comes a second challenge…expressing it. Not all corporate waters are welcoming pools. Some are the organizational equivalent…
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Conditional Statements
“If we can get the funding, this project will make a huge impact on the community.” “If she is willing to work for it, the job is hers.” “If he will devote the time, the results will be remarkable.” Very often, the outcome we want follows an “if”. Sometimes, it’s glossed over…or phrased slightly differently. Sometimes, it’s only implied. But with most affirmative conclusions (aka solutions), there is a conditional phrase that precedes them. What’s tricky about conditional statements is that it’s the outcome that frequently dominates our focus . We rush through the underlying requirements to allow our minds to reflect lovingly on our desired outcome. “Once the funding is allocated, we can really…
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Inner Work
I started writing in response to what Parker J. Palmer defines as “inner work” in his book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. As opposed to the outer work of our vocations, obligations, or hobbies, inner work is the work of attending to our spirits. I felt called to write. I felt (and ignored) this calling for some time, allowing it to wander about with me like a devoted pet. Finally, I listened. While it might seem that outer work is a requirement of life and inner work is optional, that is not true. Inner work links us to our emotions, spirits, and the places in our gut that drive our actions. Engaging with or leading others…
