mindset

History or Opportunity?

Encountering a section of barbed wire fence that is coiled and leaning on an old fence post creates a moment of reflection. Does this fence line represent an era that is coming to an end? Or is it an opportunity to repurpose the fence line and generate a new narrative? A finish line can also be a starting line.

I recently completed a site visit for a youth education group. The former tenants of the building ran programs for preschool children. In the expansive community room, preschool furniture worth tens of thousands of dollars was piled high. It reminded me of the scene in the government warehouse from the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. The preschool provider’s narrative is complete. The question now is whether somebody will start a new story by dispersing the preschool treasure to partner organizations. Will the provable fence line be revived or left dormant?

New Terrain

When emerging from a tunnel (actual or figurative), we encounter new characteristics. Terrain, weather, daylight, buildings, traffic, language, signs, density, and key landmarks change. It can reset out mindset.

How might we use the transitional moments to help us encounter terrain with a new mindset? How might the reveal create a sense of awe and wonder?

Reframe

If your flight disembarks at a remote stand and you are instructed to take the bus to the terminal, it can feel like an unplanned deviation from your itinerary. However, when the pilot tells you that the bus drops passengers off directly at the customs hall, saving them a fifteen minute walk from the jetway that might have been used to reach the same location, it can feel like a bonus. Reframing circumstances can change how we perceive our reality.

How might we recognize that framing a situation can fundamentally change our potential impact?

Specialization

One aircraft (photo above) specializes in high-speed military engagements, while the other is ideal for general aviation flying and landing on short runways. One costs tens of millions, while the other can cost less than $100,000 on the secondary market. Understanding our needs and intended impact might allow us to assemble the best resources. If we are defending a territory, a 5th-generation fighter might be required. A Cessna may be more practical if we perform low-speed, low-altitude search and rescue support.

How might we focus on resources that best suit our needs rather than purchasing top-of-the-line variants? For example, maintaining a donor database on a basic (but secure) platform might save thousands of dollars in subscription fees and allow us to navigate just as effectively as the premium platform. Authentically doing our work with practical tools does not always require the latest version.

Monorail

Monorails are a fun way to travel between points. They can also be efficient and effective. However, the tracks are not easy to re-engineer if you need to amend the itinerary. If we are confident that two current geographic points will need consistent transportation support, a monorail might be a good choice. If the traffic patterns are less than certain, more mobile forms of travel are better.

How might we recognize where our enterprise has constructed monorails and where more flexible forms of movement might be the best option?

Update!

How many posts, announcements, launch celebrations, press releases, or community meetings have you observed during which information was shared about a new initiative or a significant organizational event? How many of these organizations continued to share relevant updates and nurture your engagement?

In my experience, people are keen to make the first announcement but struggle to find an appropriate communication cadence along the journey. It does not take much, but checking deepens connections.

Imagine boarding a long-haul international flight on which the pilots never confirm the destination, make no remarks about the flight plan, do not address abnormal flight conditions, and provide no update before landing. This might make some passengers a bit apprehensive about the journey. Perhaps we can aspire to be more like a well-regarded commercial pilot. Greet passengers, orient them, care for their safety, point out remarkable landmarks, address the unexpected, prepare them for landing, and thank them for their loyalty.