Magic of Diversity

Today I was talking to my boss about diversity and inclusion. It’s a popular topic in the workplace, especially in the HR crowd. But we weren’t having the normal conversation. We weren’t talking representation numbers or affinity groups or interventions. We were talking about magic.

You see, in my world diversity and inclusion doesn’t just mean race, gender, religion, etc. Yes, those are the outward, noticeable characteristics. But we were talking about diversity of thinking and inspiration. This falls right in line with my Myers-Briggs practice but we weren’t talking about that either.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were talking with someone with a totally different mindset, point of view, or lens on life. And in the conversation you strike a back and forth banter that moves your mind to new and different options. And out of those options comes the magic of innovation. You, together, create something so different that neither of you would have come up with it alone. It was a synergy of creative energy coming from different directions that collide in a spectacular wave of creation. That’s what we were talking about today. We’ve both seen it. We’ve both felt it. But we are at a bit of a loss in how to create it or enable it to happen in a more predictable way. If we could create a culture that not only enabled it but also was a catalyst for it we would crack the diversity secret code. We would transform our business and give a reason for diverse thinkers to crave our way of being.

Got any ideas? I’d love to hear it!

Create your magic and be blessed!

Poised to Move – original poem

POISED TO MOVE

Standing in the midst of change I look, in wonder, for a clue.

Seeking a sense of what is to come and where the spark will lead.

There is electricity of excitement as closure soon approaches.

All threads coming to a final knot in my current circumstance.

And yet, there is no mourning, no bitter regret.

There are only memories – sweet and enlightening.

I have done what I could and that is enough.

I have worked, learned, inspired and changed.

I am better than before and complete in this space.

I turn my head toward a new possibility, unseen and yet so sweet.

I speak and options begin to appear.

I reach across the unknown to find familiar hands to guide me.

I am safe.

And so I move into tomorrow with confidence.

And this too, brings me peace.

I am poised to move.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Manteo Mitchell – olympic hero

As many people are doing these day, I was discussing the Olympics with my friends. Part of the conversation was about medals and specific games. We’re all having a ton of fun enjoying the feats of athletes with skills beyond imagination. We cheer on our team and root for the underdog. Whenever I watch the gymnastics I am always amazed that human bodies have the ability to do what they do. Seriously! Amazing! And yes, gymnastics are definitely my favorite sport. But I’m also all about broadening my scope and spreading attention to the other sports.

It’s fun to know that we are coming together to appreciate both great skill, perseverance, as well as fair competition. And then there are those who take their dedication to the next level. Did you see the 4×400 relay semi-finals. One of our USA runners managed to not only help power our team to the finals, but he did it while running the last half of his leg of the race on a broken leg. WOW!!!

Manteo Mitchell is the new generation’s hero who put his dedication, his dream, and his team before his personal interest. I am both awed and proud of the spirit inside this man. He did what he thought anyone would do but I must admit, I don’t know anyone else who would have done that.

And this led me to the next thought which is – what am I so passionate about that I would see it through in excellence and in spite of tremendous pain. Do I even know? This weekend will be filled with much introspection as I work through some things going on at work – and now even more so in light of the heroic example of Manteo Mitchell.

Run on and be blessed!

Joyful Yes

This week I had a gentle reminder of something that’s been on my “bucket list” for a very long time. It’s a small thing really, but a desire that was planted in the wee early days of my career. The “what” is not important. What is important is that, with the courage to speak a desire, even one that seems frivolous or unimportant to others, I find power in my voice. And the resulting “yes” strengthens my resolve to continue to create the life I want.

It sometimes surprises me to remember, or is it realize, that I really do have the power to get the things I want. The obstacles are rarely real. Whether it be the fear to ask. The shyness of being judged. The assumption that our desires are not important enough. Or that others hold the key to achieving our goal. How many times does this lesson come around? And the answer is still the same – SPEAK into possibility the thing you want, and BELIEVE it into existence by ACTION. Well, that and persistence, sometimes.

I know from speaking to many wiser and more experienced people that it is the little commitments to ourselves that we  keep which fuel our spirit. And in my own wisdom, which has been hard-won, I know that happiness is situational but joy is an enduring mindset. If I have to choose one – I choose joy. Because joy is not about the emotion in the moment but about an attitude of appreciation along the journey.

I wish for you a joyful “yes” for something on your bucket list. Go for it and be blessed!