The Brilliant Sign I Saw In Yosemite This Week

Have you ever said “yes of course” when secretly wondering how you would actually be able to make It happen?

Perhaps you are highly optimistic and want to impress those around you so “let’s do it” comes out of your mouth at the same time as your brain telling you that you are crazy to commit to it. That new product launch in record time, that off the charts customer request, that analysis and research that seems impossible…You are not alone in your willingness to overstate what is possible. 

When we arrived at our campsite in Yosemite National Park last week we were handed an information packet that included safety instructions for those wishing to recreate the Free Solo movie or for those hoping to conquer the famous Half Dome hiking trail. 

In addition to those tedious monotonous safety instructions about bears, the cold, and swimming in rivers, this brilliant notice caught my eye:

“Don’t let your brain write a check that your body cannot cash”

Now I know that checks ( or cheques) around the world might be diminishing in their use in favor of faster technical payment solutions… but the quote was just too good not to share!

I get it. ambition, bravado, group pressure, your own image of what you can achieve….can all cause you to have a heightened sense of what you can achieve whether you are deciding which hiking trail to take or which projects, initiatives, or additional work you decide to say yes to. 

But how do you know when your ambitions are realistic or just plain crazy?

This quote might be the ultimate test of how Thoughtfully Ruthless you are. Do you have the time, energy, and resources to make your goals happen?

What are you saying yes to that is tiring out your team or causing them to say yes because you haven’t figured out how to help them say no?

Do you feel the tension that you believe your company and team can achieve the equivalent of conquering a mountain like California’s Half Dome when your team might be dubious, doubtful, or downright scared?

… perhaps it’s time to ask them how they really feel about your aspirations? -truth telling isn’t easy when you have a boss with grand visions and ambitions!

Does your company have a culture that allows people to comfortably say “that isn’t possible and here is why…”

…maybe it is time to evaluate your plans and make sure your team are behind you, or feel free to tell you exactly what is possible. 

…perhaps you have underestimated your team. 

…perhaps your team doesn’t know what they can truly achieve

…perhaps there are new capabilities that you need to add

…perhaps there are people in your company that don’t understand WHY you think your company can achieve what you can see

…perhaps there are mismatched employees that aren’t in the right role for the future 

Perspective is a beautiful thing especially when you have just spent 5 days unplugged camping on the valley floor below ancient 3,000 ft rock formations millions of years old. 

If you ever get to stand at the base of mountains like El Capitan and see small dots on the cliff face of people camping on the side of the mountain. It shifts your perspective of what is truly possible. (Watch the movie Free Solo to get a glimpse!)

You just have to have those around you understand it and believe in it. 

You can’t brute-force belief. First comes understanding. So spend some time this week testing the understanding of your team. 

Can they see the same mountain as you and are they as equally excited at the prospect of conquering it?

Enjoy the journey. The views are spectacular.

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/

How To Master Leading Your Team To Be Calm In A Storm

It is time to take the mic and grab the camera!

That is what I have told many executives this past week as I have spoken to them about the various storms they are living through.

Despite the WSJ reporting this weekend that the IPO market might be significantly weakened with only one third of companies completing an initial public offering compared to the same point last year that doesn’t mean storms aren’t brewing.

I am observing an unprecedented level of acquisitions, mergers, ruthless prioritization of investments, and big bold bets on innovative partnerships that are creating storms everywhere. 

Whether unexpected or predicted, the ability to weather the storm and remain calm is an art that everyone can learn. 

I call these storms tornadoes because of the various stages that require you to act differently. I created The Change Tornado to help leaders at all levels understand how they can help their teams remain calm regardless of what is thrown at them. 

Imagine the storm you are currently experiencing and ask yourself what phase are you in? - perhaps the eye of the storm where all is quiet while you freeze waiting for the devastation to hit. Or maybe one of the other five phases of the 

The five phases of the storm are:

• decision

• anticipation

• devastation

• freeze

• devastation

• rebuild.

Each phase requires an intentional approach, like playing chess you have to consider what might happen, how it might impact you and how you will react if it does. 

Playing the “what if” game with trusted advisors helps you remain calm and be ready for what might happen next. This is particularly useful during potential change of ownership or job moves. 

Always questioning what exactly you are optimizing for will help you make sure you are understanding how those around you are making decisions so you can question, contest, and debate alternatives. 

Most importantly… your people want to hear you and see you. So take the mic, grab the camera and point them in your direction to share what you want others to know. Otherwise the void will be filled with others stories which may or may not be true.

You can find out more in Chapter 4 of my latest book…

Words That Work Communicate Your Purpose, Your Performance, and Your Profit. Now available at your favorite local bookstore to support your local small business. Or online at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble, Target, Booktopia.au,  Waterstones, Amazon.ca

Let me know if you want to order copies for your team or event and I can extend special offers and discounts to you.

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/

How To Shed What No Longer Helps Your Growth And Happiness

Do you have any idea how often a snake sheds its skin?

I was surprised to learn that it is once a month on average. This shedding, also known as ecdysis, is a process that can last between seven and fourteen days. The purpose for the ecdysis is so the snake can keep growing; their old skin doesn’t fit them, so they need to lose it to survive and get stronger.

We all need to shed what no longer serves us well to remain successful, I call this the Ecdysis Evolution. 👈 Click that link to see Featured in Chapter 11 of Words That Work: Communicate Your Purpose, Your Profit, and Your Performance, Kogan Page, January 2022

You can follow the diagram to go through your own evolution. (Drawing created by my 11 year old daughter Naomi and probably one of my most memorable diagrams that I use with executives!)

Click on the link above and then follow these four crucial stages of your Ecdysis Evolution.

Stage 1: Habits

Consider what habits currently do not serve you well and note them below the snake. Add new habits you want to incorporate above the snake, representing the new stronger you.

Stage 2: People

Next, comes my most unpopular but valuable advice:

“Which friends or colleagues (or bosses!) do you need to divorce?”

Without overthinking, debating, feeling guilty, or second guessing, write the names of any friends or colleagues in your life who are not serving you well, do not lift you up, or do not fill you with joy at the thought of spending time with them.

Above the snake, note friends or colleagues who you don’t spend enough time with—those who already have caused a smile on your face just by thinking of them and the energy they bring to you.

Stage 3: Commitments

Then reflect on all of your regular commitments—in your work life, whole life, social life, and charitable life—and note which you want to shed. Consider where you want to add new commitments that will help you fulfill your raison d’etre. This may take additional thought and time.

Stage 4: Priorities

Finally, note in the shed zone what your current default priorities have become. Because as work and life becomes more demanding, there is a natural order to what gets prioritized, even if it is the person or project with the loudest voice or the greatest risk. The opportunity is taking back control of what you prioritize so that you are intentional, or what I call being Thoughtfully Ruthless about what you focus on when. Now you can use your insights from your Ecdysis Evolution to make the changes you need.

You can find out more in Chapter 11 of my latest book…

Words That Work Communicate Your Purpose, Your Performance, and Your Profit. Now available at your favorite local bookstore to support your local small business. Or online at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble, Target, Booktopia.au, Waterstones, Amazon.ca

Let me know if you want to order copies for your team or event and I can extend special offers and discounts to you.

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/