Sometimes when you want to hold on most tightly... Be honest and LET GO! And, see what happens.
We had our strategic planning this week. We were building "our mountain"... that "thing", that "plan", that "vision" that we walk towards and steer the company towards with everything that we do... or at least, try our vest to do.
I had 15 people in from around the country and it always makes me pause.
I want to make our time together count.
I want to show these folks how much I really care.
I want to help us lock arms and find the very best inside each of us.
I know there is greatness in each one of my peers. I know it.
And, I know that if I can help us SEE each other and accept each other fully,
There is a whole greater greatness that we can accomplish together.
But success and growth are not easy... most companies fail, or at least plateau... and none of us want to plateau.
So, despite some resistance, we agree to come together.
And, I feel like its up to me to make it count.
And, I am wrong as usual.
It is not up to me, to make this work, it is up to all of us.
There were two moments in the two day long meeting where I LET GO... and they were the two best moments of the meeting.
At the start of the second day, I thought about exercises that we could do, I thought about "interesting questions" to ask, there are so many ways to start these things... but so often they feel forced or irrelevant to me. Yet, it always seems helpful to do SOMETHING before rolling into the day. So, I told them...
"This is all so very real. I don't want to be anywhere close to Dilbert." And they laughed.., and I am not sure why, but I kept rolling...
"All of this that we do is so very personal and real and meaningful & important to all of us. I'd love to start the day by just going around the table and hearing what is in your mind... what thoughts burned through your mind last night, what concerns you, what excites you, tell us what is on your mind, whatever that may be."
What followed were very heartfelt, honest, gracious, and connected words and thoughts all around the table. I turned to really listen... and allow the moment and the thoughts to linger...
This doesn't always work if the level of trust or consequence from the group is not material enough.... but it was a moment of connection and candor and grace that set a deep and powerful tone for the day. And, I was humbled by that moment.
Later in the day, as I try to piece the puzzle together... I see all the pieces in my mind, and I think about the team and about how well or not well our mountain is getting into focus.... and I try to think about the various paths forward... and how do I steer us into the next level of detail in the most intelligent way keeping everyone's attention and engagement...
And, I was getting tired, and the number of puzzle pieces seemed like still too many... and the level of energy in the room was fading...
So, I took down the 10 pillars we had on our "mountain" and in their place I put the 5 pillars that we all seemed to be rallied around...
And, I took all the pieces of the puzzle and I arranged them as best as I could under each of the 5.
I chose leaders for each of the 5 and groups and gave them the wheel.
"Ok, lets take 15 minutes, maybe 30... who knows 1 hour... and make sense of your pillar with your group. Help us build this mountain. Tell me what we are doing. Rip sheets off the wall. Add more sheets.
(NOTE - I build the mountain on the wall as it gives a tangibility and visibility to the "mountain" that otherwise seems to be just words and ideas... building the mountain on the wall gets physical and I am convinced, at least for me, makes it more REAL and RELEVANT)...
So, groups broke apart and conversations started. And, the conversations were lively and engaged. And, the conversations were real and passionate and meaningful.
One group said, we didn't do what you said, we did something more valuable. OUCH (I thought momentarily)... then I thought... COOL... ROCK ON!
We ended up working in groups for 2 HOURS! And, then we spent over an hour sharing and discussing the thoughts.
The plan wasn't as clear as I wanted (but I am realizing nothing ever is)... but it was powerful, and it was relevant, and it was crazy synergistic... AND IT WAS OWNED BY THE ENTIRE TEAM.
We didn't get as far as I'd hoped...
And, in so many ways we got so much farther.
I was humbled by our team, as I so often am...
Many folks said it was the best planning meeting we had yet.
It was certainly a step forward, and one more opportunity for me to learn....
We are moving forward - I feel it.
What we are trying to accomplish is not easy - I get it.
And, I am getting smarter along the way... I know it.
And, the lesson that I keep learning is that truly and fully giving up the wheel is fundamental and powerful... if you expect others to help steer.
Sometimes when I most want to hold onto the wheel.... is right when I need to let go.
NOW... I need to go help navigate toward our mountain...
Happy Friday!
In harmony,
Nestor