Choice

What is the right number of choices to feel a sense of autonomy but avoid overwhelm? If one visits an Apple Store, there are typically three or fewer models available in any given product line. The intention is that one of these models will fit the needs of the majority of customers, and there is always the opportunity to customize online.

When you ask your stakeholders for advice, do you offer two or three thoughtful choices? Or do you overpower them with a carnival-prize-tent level of options?

Purpose

Large cauldrons placed around the Forbidden City in Beijing appear ornamental. In fact, their original purpose was to serve as a water source for structure fires. It is convenient to assign a perceived purpose to an object when, in reality, a different purpose originated its design and placement.

How might we remain curious about the origins of a design or concept?

Overcome & Embrace

The renowned author for your literary organization’s gala fundraiser falls ill. The easy solution is to cancel. The school buses contracted to shuttle spectators from a remote parking lot to the World Cup ski race are forced to abandon their shuttle route and pick up school students after the district pivots to an early school dismissal due to weather. The easy solution is to blame the snowstorm. The venue you booked for a conference forgot to provide projectors, so the keynote speakers had to adjust their presentations. The easy solution is to focus on the vendor’s mistakes.

These unplanned moments offer an opportunity for our values to be lived, not just recited. If we talk about ideas such as resilience, grit, determination, people-first, collegiality, we can come together and deliver an unscripted performance. Occasionally, these instances of misdirection reveal an even better experience. People cheer for us when we are working to overcome the elements. How might we use disruption to delight our fans?

In Person vs Virtual

What sessions is in-person presence critical? Which ones work virtually? Do you feel as deeply connected to a group or experience when you attend virtually rather than in person? We can connect with people and events virtually that might not be accessible in person. If given the flexibility, what is your preference?

How might we maximize our impact while navigating our priorities?

Being of Service
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What drives our desire to be of service? Are we keeping score? Do we react to others? Is it a fulcrum for leverage? Are we intending to be a force for good?

Authenticity is saying what you believe and acting in a consistent manner. I prefer to know that another party’s service is based on reciprocity. Of course, we aspire to unconditional service, but circumstances create unlikely scenarios and reactions.