Week 24.08 Your Table is Ready Now
Sitting in the lobby of a historic hotel, I watched as people sat down at their tables and enjoyed the ritual of high tea. To my left, a group of three 20-somethings leaned over with enthusiasm as the tower of delights was placed in front of them. As they drank their teas and tasted the petite sandwiches and delicate cakes, the table came alive with the energy of their pleasure. As they grew accustomed to the experience, the newness of tea transformed into the ease of being together and sharing a meal. Together, they created a unique space by contributing their personality, conversation, and history. When the meal was complete they got up and left, and the diligent waitstaff promptly cleared the table and prepared it for the next group to make the table theirs. Watching the new group take their seats, I recognized this tea as a metaphor for life and leadership.
It's our table. As we enter a new role, relationship, or opportunity, it is as though we are sitting at a new table, usually one that has already been set for us. What happens at the table next is largely defined by our own presence and contributions. It’s up to us as leaders to determine what kind of table we want this to be. Will it be a place where imagination is welcome and ideas flow freely? Where team members feel safe to collaborate, question, listen generously?. We lead discussions, listen intently, try new ideas, and exchange with others. When we meet someone for the first time, we decide how we are going to sit together and what kind of conversation we want to have. When we are presented with opportunities, we determine if we want to entertain, develop, or pass on the proposal. The table is set, the cakes and sandwiches are placed in front of us, and the rest is up to us.
We make of it what we choose. The first group at the table were excited by what was presented, and their energy was visceral. The next group was clearly regulars; the delights were just a meal for them. With every new table we sit at, we have a choice – will this be a meal of delights or simply another sandwich? Are these people we are eager to be with, or just a way to pass the time? We can join together to create new energy and experiences that expand our time and invigorate us. We have great tools – imagination, collaboration, generosity, enthusiasm, and joy. The table, the service, and the company are given. What we make of it is up to us.
Then it's someone else's table. The truth of the table is that it will only be ours for a short time. We may choose to linger, but eventually, we will pay the check push back our chairs and release our seats to the next wave of patrons and potential. While there, we have the chance to make magic, create memories, and be fully present in the moment. Once we leave, it is someone else's table, and we leave it behind. With each moment, meeting, role, and relationship, we have time for impact, influence, collaboration, and creation. Then, time passes, and we move on.
In life and leadership, we only get to sit at a limited number of tables. We spend time with friends and families, people we love and lead, strangers and lifelong friends – each offering moments of connection or impact before passing the baton. Watching the energy of the table defined by the party, I was reminded that it is up to us to make our table what we want. By remembering that we don't own the table but are there on temporary loan, we can appreciate the food a little more, applaud the service more loudly, and be fully present and engaged with our partners. After all, for the moment, it's your table; what you do with it is up to you.
With love gratitude and wonder
Scott
Learning How To Trust Your "Sea Legs," Even In A Storm by Whitney Johnson
Water has always represented the unknown in our collective consciousness, the fear of a reef or shoal just under the surface that could sink you in an instant. The myth of the flood permeates almost all world religions.
It's important to note, though, as a species, we've also looked out on the horizon and imagined infinite possibilities. It's this paradox of wanting more and wanting to stay safe at the same time. Just like finding your sea legs, you have to find that balance of trepidation and curiosity.
You have to trust yourself enough, love yourself and your ability, to leave the shore behind. Sometimes, that trust comes early, like with Sam. Sometimes, you have to convince yourself there's something better than your fear beyond the horizon.
Could you benefit from Belonging to a Peer-to-Peer Network? by Rita McGrath
Executive development, or more specifically executive education, truly got going in the United States and Europe after the second world war. Universities such as Harvard introduced the “Advanced Management Program” and other high-level courses designed to teach practical business leadership skills to executives who might have experience in family firms or in the military but not in the increasingly large global firms that represented an ever-larger portion of the economies of much of the developed world.
What we are now beginning to see is the emergence of new kinds of learning networks. Called many different things, they offer a combination of peer-to-peer support, social support, safe places to share challenges and dilemmas and curated content. Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic and now a professor at Harvard has called them “True North Groups.” They take a number of forms, from the well-established Young Presidents’ Organization model to formally organized groups such as those associated with universities to more informal groups dedicated to helping peers find peers and create community.
If this sounds like you (or you know someone it does sound like), we’d love to chat and better understand this new phenomenon. You can reach out at https://www.valize.com/site/contact. After all, our organizations can only grow and flourish to the extent that our leaders do.
It is Time to Start Learning and Experimenting with AI in Your Projects by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into project management is not just a trend; it's a necessity. With the complexity of projects increasing and the demand for faster, more efficient, and effective delivery rising; traditional project management methods are being pushed to their limits. AI can solve some of these challenges by automating routine tasks, providing predictive insights, and facilitating better resource allocation. For instance, AI can significantly improve project selection and prioritization, monitor real-time progress, speed up reporting processes, enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and improve decision-making.
This is why, in February 2023, Ricardo Viana Vargas, Ph.D., and I decided to develop the first hands-on AI-driven MasterClass.
The one-day course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and insights to navigate the new world driven by change and technology. The masterclass covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of AI and machine learning to advanced applications in project management. Participants will learn about the ethical considerations of AI projects, data privacy, security, and the importance of emotional intelligence and human-centric skills in an increasingly automated world. You can find more details and subscribe here.