Week 22.05 Return To Empty

This past week I had very well-designed plans, and then there were no plans. The context of the events changed, and I was forced to adapt to the new set of circumstances. My goal was a working offsite in Florida, the first one with a new team, preceded by a couple of days visiting relatives. Three hours after I landed, I learned that a colleague tested positive, and so the others who had not yet departed canceled their trips. My very efficient agenda, like clouds dissipating and reforming, became a long weekend with my aunt and uncle. I could have held onto my plans and tried to find a way to make them work; instead, I embraced my new reality to explore new options. The result was a wonderful weekend, exploring food and architecture, thickening essential relationships, and getting a much-needed rest.

The pandemic presents a chance to explore the world without the confidence of what's next, a sort of beginner's mind. Before COVID, we had a pretty good handle on how to optimize everything. Production and supply chains were lean. Productivity was up; people were optimized. The experts studied the problems and narrowed the possibilities. But the pandemic taught us that while we are good at knowing everything based on our everyday experience, we are not very good at predicting unusual experiences. Accepting our beginner's mind keeps us open and adaptable to endless possibilities, so when faced with the inevitable exception, we can see it for what it is and rethink what is possible. 

Novelist and Zen Buddhist priest Ruth Ozeki, speaking on the Ezra Klein podcast refers to "Emptiness" as a term that describes reality as it is. Our perception likes to create the idea of static things, in reality, everything in the world is in motion and is interdependent, creating one form and then releasing it into another form. I like to think of "emptiness" as the state of flow, a world in constant flux, connected to everything else in greater and lesser ways. It is when we focus on the space rather than the material, on flux rather than solid. This is the opposite to becoming fixated on a solution or a system, making us dangerously rigid, exposing us to the certainty that the situation will shift and that people will change. Emptiness is the state in which we can change direction effortlessly, embracing the factors outside our control as expected, even if not anticipated.

I turn a corner and see a building whose side appears to blend into the sky, three steps later it is an open balcony. In life and leadership, we get a glimpse of reality as it is when the situation changes in unexpected ways. We notice that life has its own motion, which we observe and adapt in each new context. We are a boat in a river, perhaps we have a paddle, at best a rudder. The water is moving. Can we maintain our previous plan, or do we accept the new situation and allow a new plan to form? Moments of transition or disruption, remind us that change is constant. We hope our plans are unfolding as we expect, that our teams are following instructions, but it is more chaos than certainty. What we take for predictability is just a moment where things go the way we think they will. 

My experience this weekend reminded me to accept not knowing, to keep myself open to possibilities, and to embrace engagement and curiosity. We want plans to go the way we plan, we want people to do what we tell them, and we want the expected results. Sometimes that works, but most of the time, staying fluid will deliver a better result. I will remind myself (and encourage you to try it for yourself) when I feel like I have mastered the situation, let go of the feeling of control, prepare for the unexpected, and return to empty.

JA Worldwide has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize!

We have fantastic news: JA Worldwide has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize! This is an incredible honor for the entire JA network and the result of your belief in our abilities. The 2022 nomination deadline was today, and we have learned that JA Worldwide is among the nominees. From Grete Nykkelmo, CEO of JA Norway (Ungt Entreprenørskap), "JA's unique blend of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness enables them to impact individuals, communities, and society. Peace is achieved when young people have economic opportunity, and JA is honored to have been recognized alongside other nominees that are striving for a more peaceful world." Special appreciation to JA's Chief Chancellor, David Meltzer, in particular for his commitment to serving JA, its staff, and its alumni. Working closely with Erin Sawyer and Asheesh Advani (President & CEO JA Worldwide), David has consistently reminded JA to raise their aspirations and think big! Just as JA teaches JA youth to have self-efficacy and believe in themselves, the same is true for the JA network. Also, deserving recognition are JA Chancellors Frances Hesselbein, Marshall Goldsmith, Mark Thompson, and Steve Rodgers; Member of Board of Governors Fiona Macauley and Members of the Global Council Lindsay Pollack, Rodney Moses, and Bob Glazer; as well as the many members of 100 Coaches who have generously contributed their time and talent speaking, coaching and mentoring. And special recognition to Asheesh Advani for his leadership and commitment to the elevation of global youth.

DESIGN THE LIFE YOU LOVE BY AYSE BIRSEL > DIVERSITY

Virtual Tea date and time: Wed, Feb 2, 2022, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT We practice diversity and unity every week. Join us and bring your friends! Register HERE 

As a secular Turkish woman with biracial children, this month has become very meaningful to Ayse. Diversity celebrates our differences—our social, ethnic, racial backgrounds, gender, and sexual orientation and it celebrates our sameness—in being human. Different and Same, all at once. Grand Rabbi Jonathan Sacks spoke about this with Krista Tippett on her podcast On Being, "The extraordinary thing we now know... is that all life, everything...has the same source. We all come from a single source. Everything that lives has its genetic code written in the same alphabet. Unity creates diversity."

Diversity and Unity. Different and Same. Creating harmony from opposites is the foundation of creativity and an essential aspect of designing the life you love. When you can make different and same co-exist, you are creating deep, long-term value. For yourself, your family, your organization, your community, the world. Together with Dr. Terence Jackson, Nankhonde Kasonde, Eddie Turner, and Curtis Martin, four amazing thought leaders from the MG100 Coaches community, we put this mission to practice and created Design the Diversity You Love. Here's what Nankhonde said about our collaboration—"We all have different scripts for what love is, and we have different scripts for what racism is and how we experience it. In this work, we're breaking down these scripts for anybody to revisit their values and worldview and rebuild them, using a creative process." Link to share the newsletter and invitation with friends. 

Methods Of 100 Coaches - the online destination to grow leadership skills

Methods of 100 Coaches is an online leadership education platform that features high-quality, interactive courseware taught by the world's top leadership educators, coaches, and thought leaders. We have created a virtual "toolbox" of the most current and proven techniques for leadership, and each coach brings something different to the table. The content is readily actionable and engaging, and the platform provides a host of features that deepen and enrich the learning experience beyond just watching a video. With an incredible toolbox of strategies and tips for managing teams, running a business, or even personal happiness, there's no limit to what you can achieve. Give yourself the gift of leadership thinking in 2022 The Official Marshall Goldsmith Online Leadership Training (methodsof.com)

Quote of the week MAYA ANGELOU "I come as one, but I stand as 10,000"

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And, as always, thank you, Marshall, for making all of this possible.

With love and gratitude

Scott