In the reality of corporate life, as I primarily look as an outsider providing guidance and advice, it is chaos! Competing agendas, complex relationships, ever changing commitments to ideas and milestones are just the beginning. Shareholders are generally lucky that most customers do not see the ways things work. The finish product is enough, even if it takes the long road to get there.
As I reviewed an initiative, the potential lessons that everyone could learn were, at least to me, obvious. In a few cases, the lessons were individually specific. In others, everyone that was involved or should had been involved had something she or he could learn, myself included!
As our conversation got more and more involved, I was caught off guard by how difficult the conversation became. Several key players no longer looked up, their faces and attention focused anywhere but on the speakers or others in the room. Others wore masks of puzzled looks or ambivalence. I wondered who was going to step up, take the lead, and call each and all of us out.
Across the generations, individuals have, in the moment, stepped into the spotlight. They have said what needed to be said. As a result, outcomes changed and new results emerged. In one story, a writer notes that “Phinehas stood up and pled their case and the plague was stopped.” (Psalm 106.30) While there was no plague today, I also did not see or hear from our Phinehas.
The need for individuals willing to stand and help make the case for learning is a great or greater than it has ever been. I thought I could see some lessons but I longed to see someone, anyone step up and articulate what s/he could see.
It is interesting to consider the reactions to disengage and the unknown stories behind each choice. Communities strengthen as we hear, understand, and embrace each other’s stories.
As I look to others I find myself looking into the mirror. I have an opportunity to listen and respond to the call I hope others will hear.
