We’re at the front end of 2016. Isn’t there something fantastic about “a fresh start”? Something hopeful. Something neat and clean. The possibilities are endless. I don’t know about you, but this time of year is exciting for that very reason!
The UPwords Inc. logo and website underwent a major refresh mid-December, and thank-you Gretchen Devault @ TinyBlueSky (http://www.tinybluesky.com) for incorporating my love for changing-it-up, clean slate, and refresh-ing into the new logo – love it! As I work with leadership and high-potential teams, this hopefulness of refresh-ing is the essence of what occurs. Leaders discover new aspects of themselves – they dust off and clean up old habits and limiting beliefs that no longer serve, and emerge renewed. A better version of themselves.
In most cases, “the better version of you” requires letting go. Giving up control is not typically a preferred go-to strategy. Time and time again, it amazes me the good that comes out of “loosening the grip” – leaders discover parts of themselves that wouldn’t/couldn’t happen when they hold on too fiercely to “the old self” (ego??). Development requires vulnerability, trust, exposure, and openness to new/change. Even as I write this, I’m waiting for a development team to walk in to begin our day’s meeting which, to be successful, will require these qualities – The Open 360ºFeedback Process™! Fortunately because they’ve been primed by other teams who’ve gone through the process, they’re actually excited to delve into “feedback” – sparking shifts in their development and perceptions of “self”!!
I had my own I-want-to-resist moment when we refreshed the website – specifically the pictures. We were taking photos in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market building, and the photographer (thank-you Rachelle Wakeman @ Rachelle Rae Photography – www.rachelleraephotography.com) suggested we go out on the rooftop. I was wary. It was a windy windy day, and it didn’t seem conducive to taking professional photos (you know, it wasn’t a “controlled” environment!). She asked me to trust her. My perfectly coiffed hair was blowing all over the place (some of the outtakes were ridiculous), the bathroom was too far away to “freshen up”, and she asked me to get into some awkward-and-not-so-natural poses. In my head, I was definitely resisting. If you could read my “thought-bubble” it would say “Are you kidding??! This is definitely not going to work!” Then, I looked at her, trusted, and let go. Settled into the possibility. Alas, she snapped one of my favorite photos.
Fantastic things can happen when we let go, trust, and let “it” unfold.
Hope you’ve had a great start to the new year and best wishes for a “re-freshing” year!
