First 30 days - Reflections
Alt Title: "all levels all the time" - Tim Merry (a comment during a workshop in which he was discussing how we navigate complexity and work in complexity)
Today is day 39 of my new chapter (including weekends, it is probably about 30 days if we stick with the days of the work week). And I find myself feeling the itch to write something reflective about my time in this new role.
I sent a version of the picture in the header for this article to a few of my new colleagues, with no caption or explanation, as a visual representation of my first my impressions. At the time, I very much meant this to be external, and in connection to what I was hearing and seeing and reading. As the days progressed I realized how this was not only true of my observations and analysis/integration of the information I was receiving, but also true of my inner world in the context of this new leadership role. I very much needed to reorganize pieces of me to be of service, and use, and impact in this new space.
I have been fortunate to receive lots of support, advice and insights from within and outside of the organization. I keep being reminded to breathe and pause and wait and listen. All good advice. I am also finding it necessary and refreshing to lean into trusting that despite the messiness of systems change; something beautiful awaits us on the other side.
A colleague with whom I have navigated some deep and sometimes tough conversations shared an Adrienne Marie Brown quote about “trusting people and they become trustworthy” with me. And they also shared an article on emergent strategy from which some lines deeply resonate:
"... deep systems change starts with shaping the smallest patterns of our daily lives." We can, “…intentionally change how we live in ways that grow our capacity to embody the just and liberated worlds we long for.” - Emergent Strategy - Organizing for Social Justice
I am excited about this journey I am on to reconstitute the pieces of the puzzle of myself to do well in this work, and I take with me these reflections regarding the nature of trust (and how sometimes we need to extend it without the time it may take to build it) into how I navigate my burgeoning relationships with staff, system partners, networks and new relationships.
The butterfly metaphor seems to be emblematic of this new path. And this was on the cover of my welcome card from the staff of the organization:
A recap of some of the advice I have received:
have many conversations
build good relationships that have space for conflict
connect with people - make time and space for connection
sit on things - resist the bias to action - "wait (and be) before you (go and) do"
take great notes; try to journal often and reflect on what you are learning
Is there anything else you think that might be helpful to note? I am curious to read what other advice you would have for me?