Leading Thoughts
One of the ways Thunderbird Leadership Consulting adds value to clients is by being well-versed on the most thought-provoking business topics, practices and theories of today and tomorrow. Click here to read the prior article, written by Amy Steinbinder, titled "For Quality: the Magnet Framework."
Why Simplicity?
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery (French writer and aviator)
In complicated workplace settings within increasingly intertwined societies, what possible value can simplicity lend to our work? Some people liken simplicity to inadequacy, like being “simple-minded.” Really now, can simplicity make us faster, better, or more effective? One wonders if that is not a bit like using a hammer to fix a software glitch.
But simplicity is not so simple. Simplicity is a distillation of the noise and drama of the moment so the really important things can rise to the surface. Simplicity is a quality that allows us to focus and prioritize. Simplicity can reduce stress and increase personal effectiveness. In order to use simplicity to its fullest, we have to understand all the forces that are at play in an issue, and only THEN can we allow the refining process to do its magic. Simplicity can be applied at a variety of levels; organizational, relational and personal.
The theme chosen for the Third Annual Leadership Summit held on December 3, 2009 was “From Significance to Simplicity”. The Summit was designed to provide leaders with an opportunity for personal reflection so they could answer the question, “Why and where do I need to simplify my life, and how can I get started?”
The content of the day built on the two prior retreats supporting a decluttering of our inner lives with a focus on the simplicity of living in the moment and the elimination of destructive self talk. Where do we complicate our lives by saying yes when we have every reason and desire to say no? Dr. Carla Rotering shared a very inspirational story about her experience as one of the first female physicians in a specialty with few women. She gladly made many sacrifices to become what the world would view as a “success.” Working long hours, rising to the top of the medical hierarchy, engaging in a busy and profitable medical practice with a leadership style she described as the “taking on” of male leadership characteristics –(firm, decisive, authoritarian) and subjugating the “softer more feminine” elements of her being. All this had grand results, for a time. But the approach was taking a negative toll on her personal life and health.
It was an act of providence that led her in another direction – a hurricane on a Caribbean island. While vacationing on this beautiful island the warnings of a hurricane were heeded by other vacationers and they packed and left, but she chose to stay. She shared some humor about her decision to stay by asking one of the local residents, Ping, if he thought a hurricane was coming. He replied “No Mon, no hurricane.” So she stayed. As the hurricane roared in the next day she found herself evacuating to higher ground with 100 mile per hour winds. Once she found Ping again, she asked him, “I thought you said no hurricane?” to which he replied “That was yesterday, Mon.” Ping was indeed living in the present.
Stranded on this island with no electricity, no running water and no chance to leave for awhile, she began a journey of reflection that led her to where she is today – the storm outside reflected the storm inside. As the hurricane subsided and the repairs began she found her personal storm settling as well. She was sure when she returned to Phoenix her patients’ corpses would be lining the streets and her business would be in ruins. But that was not the reality. Life had moved on without her and without any serious effects. Carla began the process of saying yes and no with purpose and intention, making room to live her life rather than the life others expected of her. She was learning to declutter, prioritize and simplify.
Today Dr. Rotering is a well-respected and successful physician in Phoenix, working hours of her own choosing, traveling the country as an inspirational speaker, and helping physicians in need of encouragement and counseling. She also routinely visits the home she built on that little island in the Caribbean where a hurricane changed her life.
After Carla’s inspiring message, we broke for a delicious lunch and enjoyed the time to explore the lovely canyon setting at Aaravaipa Vista, the retreat center being developed by Bill and Penny Walker. After lunch Bill led the team in an exercise of making walking sticks from the dried stalks of yucca plants that grow along the canyon. The Apaches who revered the canyon as their sacred place roasted the yucca stalk for its sweet insides, much like sugar cane, which could be saved and eaten later when provisions were low. These sticks are strong enough for hiking, yet surprisingly light weight. The retreaters personalized the stalks with colored pebbles, painted stripes or simply left them au natural. We then had time to explore the canyon on our own, considering the places where our lives could be made richer through the creative application of simplicity.
Here are a few ideas that might lead to simpler life of your own.
1. Take a few minutes to write down -
Areas of your life where you wish you had said ‘no’ instead of ‘yes’
Areas of your life where you would like to say ‘yes’ more often
2. Answer this:
What is likely to happen to me if I say no to at least one of the things on the first list,
and yes to at least one of the things on the second list?
3. Share your thoughts with a trusted friend or companion.
4. Practice saying ‘no’ without explanation; something like, “I’m sorry, Jane, I’m not able to do that.” No excuses.
The yeses you make will then have much more power, and you will have started your life’s “Spring Cleaning.”
Written by Jill Bachman and Penny Walker
For more information about Aravaipa Vistas, email Bill and Penny Walker, owners and developers, at pnnwal@cox.net.
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