A Little Dose of Acceptance

I have a leadership coach and have worked with her for over 7 years. She is amazing. Each and every time I speak with her, I learn something new. More often than not, I leave our meetings with a right-out-of-the-blue insight.

I am not talking about an insight that you were a little short with a peer last week or should have invited Director so-and-so to the budget meeting. I am talking about an insight where you gain a new perspective on an issue or an individual's motivation; become aware of an assumption or judgement you were unconsciously making; or realized your action (or inaction) was contributing to, or causing, conflict amongst subordinates or peers. These insights can stop you in your tracks and take your breath away. Once you see it, it is so clear to you that you can't believe that you missed it before. For better (or worse), now that you see it, you are compelled to do something about it.

Think back to a time you had an insight like this. How did you feel? Did you feel powerful, energized and ready to shout it from the roof tops? Or did it make you cry? Did you feel like you needed to apologize to others for not seeing this sooner? To right your wrongs? To atone for your sins?

Did you want to be able to go back and do it (whatever it was) all over again - differently?

An insight is a gift. Grab it and own it. It is yours. An insight is a powerful opportunity to make a difference moving forward. No do-over necessary. You are doing just fine.

Is Your To Do List Doing You In?

I am remembering a cross country ski clinic I participated in more than a few years back and a subsequent critique of my style and form. I can still hear the instructor's words as she said, "There are many things wrong here; we can only work on one."

Your to do list is doing you in. Could it be planning, staffing, competence?  Delegation, leadership or organizational growth?" In reality, it is probably a combination of many different things.

The pressure is on so what do you do? You work on you. You gather, prioritize and connect. You lay your cards on the table and you renegotiate expectations.

Thinking of sliding into the corner, under the desk, or behind the door? Don't do it. Not only is that not productive, there simply is not enough time.