The 2nd maple of the three sisters has lost most of its leaves. A storm came through yesterday, I was away from the Farm and on the walk this morning there she was nearly bare. The feeling of shock and then awe. This is transformation. Some times it’s fast, like an epiphany that completely changes us, Sometimes its a slow transition, inch by inch or cm by cm
An executive team I am working with was having a heated discussion at their offsite about their key priorities and the risks that might hinder their success. One of the team brought up the subject of diversity on the team and the representatives at the table - do they have all the roles they need represented by the ‘right’ people. The underlying concept is accountability and the principle of having the right people in the right seats. Something Gino Wickman and Andrew Horowitz have both written about. It became clear that at least two roles were missing but the conversation was tough all the same as those executives responsible for those roles now had to acknowledge that they may not have the depth of expertise to represent the function well enough for the team to make critical decisions. A tough conversation for sure.
We took a break. One of the team pulled me aside to ask for clarification- he realized something that was said he had taken in completely the opposite way of the intention of the person who had said it. Layers of the onion of communication he said - it’s so nuanced he offered. I asked what was there for him to notice about his own reaction and interpretation? Where was the fear that set him off to the ‘other side’?
Understanding takes courage and curiosity. Self reflection and what’s there for that executive will take him greater courage and curiosity. For certain he learned something - an inch or a cm I’m not sure
Where can you lean into courageous curiosity?
