Last week’s story about my completely unexpected mule ride on a flooded hiking trail was rich with lessons for me – the main one being the gift of the unanticipated solution to a dilemma. This happens in the workplace as well. I have learned to be open to the possibility of a solution “appearing” out of a sea of uncertainties. If we are rigorous and honest in gathering information, considering varying perspectives, and exploring creative alternatives with an open mind, we can often find a solution where we least expect it.

Food for Thought ~

Much of leadership is about leading decision-making processes for a group or organization. This requires having the wisdom, skill and self-discipline to conduct the decision-making process with integrity. I often say, “If the process has integrity, so will the results.” I have seen time and again, an unexpected, yet elegant solution “bubble up” from a healthy decision-making process.

Question of the day ~

Have you evaluated your decision-making processes lately? Do they nurture the conditions that encourage creative, effective solutions to your problems and dilemmas?

This is a true story. Regular readers may recall that in June I first wrote about encountering a swampy area on my favorite hiking trail in a nearby park. Recently, after the first heavy rains, many parts of the trail were flooded and impassable. A horse and rider went by and then I realized it was actually a fine-looking mule, not a horse. Having been born in Missouri and having “mules in my family” with an uncle that drove a team of Missouri mules in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena for many years, I was intrigued. After a congenial conversation, I was offered a ride on the gentle mule, Precious Peanut Pushkin. Of course I happily accepted, and subsequently enjoyed a marvelous trail ride through the flooded areas, through “the swamp,” and back to dry trail. I felt like the Queen of the Park that day ~ marveling in the gift of a completely unexpected and delightful experience.

Food for Thought ~

I was struck by this elegant and unpredictable solution to my flooded trail dilemma. What a reminder about being open to new possibilities! (BTW, the owner, Louisa, is an acupuncturist who has recently relocated to Sonoma County. In addition to having a new friend, I am advising Louisa on marketing as she establishes her business here.)

Question of the day ~

What is your “takeaway” from this story? What was meaningful and noteworthy to you? How might you apply this to your life/work?

Last week’s Minute was about trying on new perspectives in order to broaden our views and reduce the likelihood of being stuck in old patterns simply out of habit. A related issue is the topic today – getting out of our “comfort zones.” Most of us find comfort in a certain degree of predictability and stability in our lives. That’s well and good. I think the real question is how broad is your comfort zone? If it’s narrow with inflexible boundaries, you may be limiting yourself.

Food for Thought ~

The most effective leaders I have known and admired are generally people who have a fairly broad comfort zone. They are able to relate to a wide range of people in a wide range of circumstances on a wide range of topics and issues. Further, they are able to function quite effectively outside of their comfort zones. Being in unfamiliar territory doesn’t have to be a handicap. In fact, we often learn and grow the most when we are “stretched” beyond our comfortable parameters.

Question of the day ~

How broad is your comfort zone? Are you flexible and resilient? Might you be more effective if you explored expanding your comfort zone?

My “walks in the park” continue to provide me with many moments of reflection. Recently I took my usual hike on a loop trail, but reversed my direction. This was after several years of walking the same route in the same direction. What a revelation! The same terrain looked quite different from the opposite direction. The views were even more enjoyable. I savored the usual landmarks from a different perspective. The familiar was made new.

Food for Thought ~
How often do we become habituated to our accustomed patterns and ways of doing things at work? Most of us develop a mindset, a way of viewing the people and issues in our workplace. We sit in the same place at meetings. We have formulated opinions that are dear to us. But how much richer our life and work can be when we purposefully try to see things from another perspective. Try on an opposing viewpoint to see what it has to teach you. Change your meeting venue, your room arrangement, your seat at the table. Let go of doing things the same way just because it’s customary. There’s much to be gained from trying on new perspectives.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

Question of the day ~

Are there any aspects of your work that have become too much a matter of habit and comfortable patterns? How might you enrich your work with a fresh perspective?

My recent “Adventures Without the Internet” over the past week and a half led me to many reflections. One of the things I have been thinking about is resourcefulness, inspired by my unflappable and extraordinarily capable and creative website designer. This is one of the qualities of an exceptional leader. In virtually every leadership situation I have encountered, there are times of trial and circumstance that require the leader to go beyond the norm to find creative solutions. When circumstances present you with an unexpected challenge, being resourceful is your best ally. One of my readers sent this story about a friend of his in the Napa Valley. It is an excellent example of resourcefulness.

Food for Thought ~

“During the annual grape crush an essential piece of crushing equipment failed at a St. Helena Gallo wine cooperative. A friend of mine quickly realized that he had numerous small co-op member grape growers whose livelihoods might hinge on the profits from their annual grape deliveries. What did my friend do? He located a piece of replacement equipment, contracted with a helicopter service, had the equipment delivered to the co-op, and the grape crush continued on apace.”
He concludes:
“In my opinion, economic catastrophe can often be avoided, even without any contingency planning, if businesses are resourceful when needed.”

Question of the day ~

On the theory that a leader can never be too resourceful, how might you strengthen your “resourcefulness muscles?”

Top-notch meetings are a staple and vital aspect of good leadership. From time to time, a special type of meeting may be needed to address important matters that don’t lend themselves to the course of daily events. These meetings are often called retreats, from the definition that means “to withdraw to a private place.” A retreat can be as brief as half a day, as long as several days, or anywhere in between. The preferred venue is somewhere other than the work site – a comfortable, pleasant environment that is conducive to fresh thinking and constructive dialogue. With excellent planning, good meeting facilitation, and willing participants, remarkable advances can come from retreating.

Food for Thought ~

The content of a retreat can be focused on whatever aspect of the organization needs special consideration. Often it is some type of planning, an essential leadership function that may be overshadowed by the press of more urgent matters. The beauty of a retreat is the opportunity to customize the agenda to address what’s important and meaningful. It is an excellent method for affirming company values, as well as knitting together teams and building relationships.

Question of the day ~

Are there critical issues in your company that would merit some dedicated time and attention?

Top-notch meetings are a staple and vital aspect of good leadership. From time to time, a special type of meeting may be needed to address important matters that don’t lend themselves to the course of daily events. These meetings are often called retreats, from the definition that means “to withdraw to a private place.” A retreat can be as brief as half a day, as long as several days, or anywhere in between. The preferred venue is somewhere other than the work site – a comfortable, pleasant environment that is conducive to fresh thinking and constructive dialogue. With excellent planning, good meeting facilitation, and willing participants, remarkable advances can come from retreating.

Food for Thought ~

The content of a retreat can be focused on whatever aspect of the organization needs special consideration. Often it is some type of planning, an essential leadership function that may be overshadowed by the press of more urgent matters. The beauty of a retreat is the opportunity to customize the agenda to address what’s important and meaningful. It is an excellent method for affirming company values, as well as knitting together teams and building relationships.

Question of the day ~

Are there critical issues in your company that would merit some dedicated time and attention?

World affairs present many opportunities to reflect on the subject of peace. In addition to the larger issues of world peace, I have been thinking about how this applies to the role of leaders. The dictionary offers several definitions of the word peace, and the one that most applies to the workplace is “freedom from quarrels; harmony; concord.” Organizations need a state of equilibrium in order to sustain a high level of performance. There needs to be enough basic trust and good will for people to feel safe and respected. Higher levels of trust provide even better conditions for innovation and achievement. There also needs to be room for disagreements, differences, and openness to new ideas. Conflicting views and interests need to be balanced. Avoiding conflict may result in a lack of accountability or an intolerance for differing viewpoints. Not enough attention to peace may result in undisciplined self-expression, disrespectful behaviors, and unhealthy group dynamics. Neither extreme is good for people or good for business.

Food for Thought ~

I often think of organizations as small villages or communities. Just as in our larger communities, we need leaders to model that optimal balance of working with others amicably, yet openly, building trust through honesty and integrity, and appropriately addressing and resolving conflict. Good leaders have a sixth sense about maintaining harmony in their organizations.

Question of the day ~

What are the best ways to achieve and preserve your company’s optimal state of equilibrium?

September always means “back to school” to me. Even though most of us are no longer full-time students, I like thinking about the excitement and joy of learning. Leadership is the art of management, and as with all the arts, there is no absolute point of complete mastery. There are many excellent books and classes on leadership that are well worth studying; and the primary classroom is the never-ending school of experience. Changing circumstances bring a continuing stream of new issues and opportunities. Hopefully we will grow in wisdom and judgement, acquire new knowledge and skills, and continue to challenge ourselves to learn.

Food for Thought ~

Henry Ford is reported to have said, “Keep learning and you will never grow old.” Brain researchers have discovered that any kind of learning, on any subject, has a beneficial effect on our cognitive functioning. So whether for the joy of learning, or the self-defense of maintaining our capacities, let us choose to always be learning something new.

Question of the day ~

What would you like to learn? What would you like to learn to further your professional abilities; and what would you like to learn just for the fun of it?

I am fortunate to live near a wonderful regional park. Today I stopped for a hike on my way home. I was enjoying a brisk walk when I came to a boggy area called “The Swamp” on the park map. I hesitated. Did I want to get my shoes that muddy and have to clean them when I got home? Did I want to risk slipping in the slimy black mud? Yes, I did. I carefully picked my way across the swamp, and as I was just about to the safety of dry ground, I heard a loud staccato sound, a cross between tapping and knocking. Human construction-type activity being unlikely in that location, I looked around for a woodpecker. Indeed, a glorious Pileated Woodpecker was just 30′ away, busily working a dead tree for his dinner. I stood silently in the mud, savoring this infrequent sighting of one of my favorite birds, and thinking of the gift that came as a result of my decision to traverse the swamp.

As I walked on, it occurred to me that in leading and managing a business, we often come across “swamps” of one sort or another. Sometimes we have no choice but to go forth and work our way through a difficult situation. But it is the exceptional leaders who voluntarily choose to walk into the messy parts of their organizations to set things right. Today I was reminded that surprising treasures can be found even while we are stepping gingerly through a patch of mud.

Are there any “swamps” in your company that merit your attention?

(A “swamp” can be as simple as your desk or e-mail inbox that needs to be re-organized for efficiency, or as complex as a system that needs to be improved, a relationship with a co-worker that is not what it needs to be, or a part of your organization that is clearly not functioning well.)