Far easier to follow the established path and let it deliver us to the destination of its choice. Being oriented to a strategy reminds us when it is time to leave the path and head cross-country.
Author: whatifconcepts
Keyhole
We do not always have to open a door, sometimes we just need to find a keyhole and allow ourselves passage into the next room. Some obstacles are far more daunting if we have to overcome them entirely. Crossing a mountain stream does not always require building an entire bridge or rerouting the stream. A couple well placed stones or a fallen tree allows us to move on with our journey, unyielding to an impediment that was not our primary purpose to solve. Make our pathway visible and others will follow.
Pioneer Stories
I stopped at a pioneer cemetery during a recent bike ride. It struck me that this cemetery was somehow worth getting off and examining. I have passed many traditional cemeteries without more than a sideways glance. The few dates and words on the tombstone provide the briefest encapsulation of an individual’s life. What makes a pioneer cemetery so remarkable to me is the story. Here are the remain of people who were living on the edge of civilization one hundred or more years ago. We continue to visit these sites and talk about their courage and struggles. In their journals we read how pioneers were often just trying to exist, not trying to make some larger social commentary by residing distal to larger population centers. Their attempts to thrive on the edge is what fills our conversations and imaginations.
Where are we being pioneers? What edge have we selected? What stories will outlive our work?
I Wish They Would Do That…
I overheard a conversation in which a business owner kept saying, “I wish they would do that for me.” The irony is that the community had done ‘that’ for this particular business in overwhelming ways. The owner had a tribe and an engaged following willing to spring into action. Yet the decree was that not everyone was performing random actss of kindness to benefit this business.
If we do not provide our tribe with a vision then they are going to ‘do that’ with other organizations that are embarking on remarkable adventures. If our campaign is visionary, our tribe will lend their time, touch, talent, and treasurer. If we hope for gifts to bestowed on us just because we exist our journey will rely on the good-will of an empathetic few.
‘I wish they would do that’ can be transformed to ‘we did that’ if we are bold enough to work towards the edges. If we are willing to explore uneven ground. If the journey was easy and profitable the for-profit sector would be ‘doing that’ and maximizing their return on investment. Our explorations will not be for everyone but those who choose to join the corps of discovery will be forever changed.
Your Customers Love You for Being Unique
If it is critical then make it visible. Posted guidelines and rules set you apart from other organizations. Ignoring enforcement leads to mediocrity and erodes trust. Be brave. State what you are seeking to deliver and build a tribe that shares this vision. Frustrating those who do not agree is acceptable but be generous in setting up people for success.
What is Off-Limits?
What is off-limits and cannot be discussed? What is too dangerous to mention? How do we decide where the boundary between safe and uncertain is drawn? Is it possible to give ourselves permission to review the list of unmentionables? If we are not willing to shine a light into dark corners then how can we expect to make the discoveries our vision statements proclaim?
Your Tribe’s Language
How does your tribe communicate? Is there a glossary to assist newcomers and outsiders?
Impressive, Remarkable, and/or Profound Impact
How do we assign value to an individual’s effort? What is impressive to one person may be remarkable to another or have a profound impact on the recipient. Knowing who you are serving and why transforms the value.
Remarkable Meetings?
Attentiv published a report highlighting our meeting habits. It is worth a read and perhaps some consideration. Why are so few meetings scheduled without an agenda? What does the duration of the meeting say about how we value our team’s time? What is the difference between meetings?
What is the best meeting you have attended? Why? Have you told anyone so they can benefit from your experience?
Making It Visible
Just because the path is not entirely visible does not mean a journey cannot launch. Our greatest successes reveal themselves in moments when we start in a shroud and summit despite the conditions. If we strike boldly for an invisible peak we move intentionally.
I am reminded of a scene from the West Wing where Leo McGarry tells Josh Lyman a story of hope.
“This guy’s walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can’t get out.”A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, ‘Hey you. Can you help me out?’ The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on.”Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, ‘Father, I’m down in this hole can you help me out?’ The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on”Then a friend walks by, ‘Hey, Joe, it’s me can you help me out?’ And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, ‘Are you stupid? Now we’re both down here.’ The friend says, ‘Yeah, but I’ve been down here before and I know the way out.'”
What journey is worth commencing when the summit is not visible and success remains elusive?
What-if-concepts 