Episode 44: Looking Back to Move Forward
Free Up Space
Your brain will thank you, your time will high-five you, your future will congratulate you. Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
When I was at the Momentum Weekend Workshop in October (hosted by Lou Mongello - a 2 day conference for 50 entrepreneurs) - we went around the room and everyone introduced themselves, their story and their business/idea. Nearly every person injected a phrase that sounded something like this when telling their story:
“and then there was COVID.”
This is such a common phrase with pretty much everyone I talk to. Same for you?
Obviously the pandemic has and continues to impact you, your organizations, your business…your life in many different ways – and we’ll be using it as a timeline benchmark and the impetus to describe a shift, change or pivot.
For me - it begs the question: have you, as an organization, as a team, as an individual leader – really taken the time to acknowledge what you’ve experienced – how it’s impacted you and found a way to let go of what no longer needs to be held onto - - - all in an effort to really move forward (from the right place)?
I am specifically referencing our experience with COVID – because it was a doozy – but the concept can apply for any type of significant change or experience!
Why is this important?
When we don’t really acknowledge something that had a significant impact but simply gloss over it, it can subconsciously can impact how we show up or keep us stuck - especially for a team or organization as a whole – because everyone’s individual experience and the impact it has on their work and life is so different.
I did a workshop with a leadership group this past summer where we took time to really acknowledge what they had been through over the past 2.5 years when COVID entered our lives. Here’s a snapshot of how that was structured:
We started with a reflection. I used a visual medium - which is so powerful. I had a deck of cards called “Feet First” designed by Dr. Jean Davidson. I asked that each person pick a card that resonated with them when thinking about the experience they had over the past 2.5 years. Everyone then shared their image and why it resonated with them. I took notes to share back what I heard at the end. This highlighted the different perspectives and experiences of the group.
The next set of questions were part of a facilitated discussion and lots of flip charts!
What has changed?
Which changes are for the better/want to hang onto?
Which changes are NOT for the better/want to let go of?
Other lessons learned?
Anything you’d like to forget?
What are you most proud of?
This meaningful exercise helped to highlight lessons learned and free up space to move forward with a little less weight!
What do you think?
Have you acknowledged what you, your team and/or your organization has been through over the last few years?
Links / References
Feet First Card Deck by Dr. Jean Davidson: Purchase them here!
Join the Community
Join leaders just like yourself who are looking to increase their leadership confidence and positively impact the world around them. Click here: The Practically Perfect Leader Community
Please leave a review in Apple Podcasts + share with a friend
It will help others find the podcast - the more leaders we can impact - the better our workplaces and lives will be!
Schedule a FREE Consult
Click here to schedule some time - let’s talk about how we can work together through one-on-one coaching, Insights Discovery workshops or other leadership development work!