It’s risky, though. I have a client who runs a non-profit organization and who has extraordinary vision, wisdom and talents. But the organization leans on him too much for its own good. He ends up taking care of too many details and his leadership capacity is diminished. Without better engagement of his gifts, the organization’s trajectory is limited. And, when gifts don’t express optimally at work, capacity suffers.
On the one hand, he knows that if he drops something, it may well not get picked up “on time” and his commitment to excellence will be compromised. On the other hand, though, he realizes his ultimate vision of excellence can only be realized if he’s able to act from a wisdom position – from bringing heart and head together. There simply isn’t bandwidth for a dynamic leader to adequately manage the day to day details and stay on the leadership edge. In some ways, my client has certainly gained from digging into details. He’s built the relationships, a strong understanding of the scaffolding of the organization, and he’s strengthened the culture so that he can now capitalize on the creative leeway he’s built.
I’m learning all over again from him that it’s only in bringing together the yin of the heart and soul with the yang of the mind that we access and act on our wisest choices. It’s been amazing to watch his non-profit strengthen and grow under his leadership. His life pendulum swung from the yang of building infrastructure to the yin of developing his vision toward creating a legacy. And now, the hard part, he’s got to let go and trust what he’s built. He’s realizing, if he wants to realize the potential he sees for himself and for the organization, he’s got to drop some tasks to make way for giving his best gifts.
Short term, whatever he drops isn’t likely to fall through the cracks for very long but it is likely to reveal any cracks that might still be in his foundation. We coach there. Long term,we keep our eyes on his professional horizon and his feet on the ground – except when he’s flying! Coaching is always a both/and in terms of maintaining good quality foundations while developing vision. Coaching leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs is a lot like coaching Olympic athletes. For sure the foundational work matters, but it’s in the stretch for the gold that I serve clients best. (See study reports)
A coaching assignment for those of you who take on high levels of responsibility: drop it! Drop one thing you resent doing, believe you shouldn’t do, don’t want to do and/or don’t need to do. You can warn, beg, cry, kick, sceam or moan as you choose but let go and see what happens. It may create chaos or turn out to barely be a bump in the road, but I guarantee it will move you forward.
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Dr. Joni’s MasterMind and Individual coaching helps create
the work you love, the life you want, and the world you want to live
in. Her coaching methodology not only helps
resolve persistent concerns, it helps
i. – close the gaps between where you are and where you want to be
ii. – align life and livelihood
iii. – develop legacy leadership.
I specialize in sustainable results. Money back guarantee.
