Hi Friend
“Better than expected!” That’s been my answer to the question “How did the conference go?” It’s accompanied with a big smile and an immediate sharing of several details. Unfortunately, I can’t say it was problem-free. The first two days were AMAZING, in literally every way. On day three – the final day – we had one bizarre issue after another. Things that had worked didn’t. Microphones went berserk. Weird stuff. 🤔
So many things went right and well, it seems disrespectful to all the good to highlight the snafu’s on the final day. But man, it bugs me. Not to the point of draining my giddy, but enough to mention it in context of the overall. I expected issues just not on the third day. You would have laughed. While they were happening I literally kept saying to myself “I Love Obstacles.” #TrueStory
We experienced a “North Texas SHRM Miracle” on the first day. Zoom went down in many parts of the world. It didn’t for us. I didn’t even know about the global issue until I got an email from their president of products and engineering. That would have hurt.
The best part for me was that it played out entirely like I envisioned it would. From the set to the speakers, to the audience interaction, to the exhibitor conversations, to the spontaneous playful banter with the leaders – almost eerily with precision, my imagination manifested into reality.
One of the leaders told me “I didn’t know what this would look like.” I did.
If seeing is believing, then imagining is creating.
I suppose that’s why vision has always been touted as a great leadership quality. Painting a picture of an unknown future and then rallying with a team to bring it to fruition so everyone else can experience it is quite rewarding. Have you encountered that recently?
I’m super fortunate that I’ve had both the opportunity to lead in such a capacity and to be on a team with someone leading us into the unwritten future. Both are exciting and enriching, frustrating and scary. Both roles require faith. Whether leading or following, the sense of anticipation can be a compelling drug-of-choice. Bringing into existence something that didn’t exist prior, captures our heart and mind.
Throughout my life, I’ve discovered many people don’t live under the covering of a vision. Whether their own, or someone else’s, without that guiding hope, work, relationships and life become a meandering routine. I’ve lost track of seeing myself becoming, which led to poor choices, disappointment and missed opportunities. Fortunately, we can reenter vision with a little intentionality. And even more fortunate, we can align with someone else’s if we can’t muster the strength or courage for our own.
Qualities of Vision:
Magnetic Momentum. It draws us forward as a catalyst when we lack the internal incentive to make effort.
Shared Story. It never is a solitary exploit. Creating is a collaborative endeavor that weaves our lives together with others, fostering multiple memorable moments.
Empowers Empathy. Leader-to-follower, follower-to-follower, follower-to-leader; this triple threat treatise opens the eyes of everyone involved, inviting intimacy with compassion and camaraderie.
High Hopes. The beauty of offering and aligning with pictures of tomorrow, stir our spirits with an optimistic expectancy.
Never underestimate how powerful vision is for our personal well-being!
I, myself, have encountered a third role in converting dreams to tangibility: Enhancing Interpreter. I think it’s a part of my Unique Personal Offering (UPO) to the world. I can listen to someone else’s vision, understand it thoroughly and provide augmentation that expands its reach and impact. Not inferring my own will, but genuinely complementing the vision-casters intent.
Instigating Ideas…
1. Jot down a vision you’re running towards or serving under that compels you.
2. Tell someone one of your UPO’s.
3. Share with someone a memory of an adventure you had aspiring to reach a vision.
4. Who in your life could benefit from having a vision to grab hold of to get them through this season?
5. What can you say or do that perpetuates hope?
I have a lot of brand identity around ownership. I believe in it. However, I also believe there is a higher calling: Stewardship. When we recognize we’ve been entrusted with something, anything, by someone else, that level of responsibility is humbling. I think that’s why I thrive in this role of Virtual Conference Producer. The client has the vision for serving their audience. I get to steward their dream with my own UPO. It’s challenging, stretching and fun!
I dare you to surrender your ego by crafting a vision-for-others-sake or submitting to someone else’s imagination. I would love to hear what resistance your mind offers or what process you go through to attempt to be a steward. Please Share.