Obstacles point the way to the future.

Don’t fear the obstacles when they arise because they are an integral part of finding the way forward.

We know necessity is the mother of invention, making obstacles the the aunt of innovation.

The 2020 theme of identity continues. The obstacles we overcome both reveal and sharpen our identity. How we respond will only improve when we are willing to see them clearly and face them head-on.

In the Kickass Koach podcast episode dropped May 11th, I identify two ways of looking at the obstacles we face. A pandemic is a gigantic obstacle so a perfect backdrop. One is the importance of teamwork and the second is the aspirational hope that transcending a significant obstacle provides

For the newsletter, I focus more specifically on the opportunity an obstacle provides.

In the weekly Instagram and LinkedIn video, I speak to how when reflecting on my own career experience and one point in my 30’s I realized how I had neglected to see the value in the obstacles I had confronted in my journey. My insight came when noticing how self doubt crept when seeing how my career had evolved as a result of the obstacles. Seeing the obstacles as a marker and growth experience shifted my mindset in a productive manner.

Finally, in this post I reflect on the power of putting people first to build community, teamwork as well as the career and business results we desire.

Obstacles Point the Way

It may seem strange initially to see obstacles as markers or drivers in our journey. However, obstacles are not just common, they are to be expected. Furthermore, when we accept that obstacles are part of the journey we are more capable of recognizing them early and acting on them productively. Moreover, they often call on our ingenuity and creativity, ultimately inspiring us to innovate.

Often it is only in looking back and evaluating our handling of challenges do we see how integral they were to arriving at our final destination. Strangely, we see it whether they final outcome was ideal or sub par. This reminds us that the sooner we welcome and embrace the encounter with the obstacle, the more effectively we turn our response in our favour.

The solution, adjustment or accommodation may even open up new lines of inquiry and expand the work that opened up the obstacle. I recall, when in my mid 30’s I was charged with creating my own department to help a US based company expand in country, across Canada and finally into India, how quickly my mandate expanded to meet the various obstacles that came to light. Within two years my department expanded to three distinct sections housed in 10 locations across all three countries. Each expansion was the result of overcoming a newly identify obstacle to meet our initial mandate. Eventually this department, performance consulting, became a best practice component expanded to serve every business unit in the entire company.

Obstacles are Inevitable

We will inevitably encounter obstacles in every aspect of our life. What we do with them is what defines and determines our journey. The most important thing we can do is accept that they are out there, ready to pounce.

In this pandemic the most common thing we hear from leaders looking to make excuses is, “no one saw this coming.” First of all that isn’t true. Secondly, that is a week and impotent leadership response. If we fail to anticipate there will be obstacles of all kinds in our future we don’t belong in leadership. If we even consider shrinking from them or turtle-ing in the face of them, we need to get out of leadership.

Whether we serve in a formal role of leadership, aspire to serve in that capacity or seek to been a high level individual contributor in any organization, we would do well to consciously work on our skill to identify and respond effectively to unexpected obstacles. They can be unexpected but their occurrence is always inevitable.

Obstacles Overcome, are Liberating

The great news is that, while facing obstacles is hard work, overcoming them is energizing and even liberating. The experience is generative. As a result it is invigorating. In the newsletter I speak to the need for collaborating and the value in setting aspiration goals.

Life is one big Experiment

The underlying point, again this week, emphasizes the benefit of approaching life as an experiment. Moreover, with an experimental mindset we welcome obstacles and likely see them more quickly. Moreover, we may be energized by them. For certain, we are able better equipped to navigate them.

We may be capable of more closely monitoring and learning from our choices and decisions and build capacity to adjust our actions to meet the current situation. Then, we may influence how things unfold. There’s a difference between wanting something and making something happen. With the mindset necessary to perform under pressure we are able to influence results more deeply. This mindset that relies on clarity, curiosity and a resilient spirit we accept no excuses, only results. Furthermore, it’s essential we have a system to evaluate the risk of any action, removing the very human emotions that cloud our judgment. Walk with me. Together let’s examine options consciously and authentically to make choices that move us strategically toward where we want to be. Strategy is a about choices. Execution on these choices requires masterful performance. Furthermore, a well developed process allows us to enjoy the journey far more fully.

Be part of the journey in 2020.

Start by subscribing to my mailing list . Subscribers receive:

My interactive exercise to begin reducing the impacts of stress and feelings of overwhelm will be sent.
My newsletter with the related podcast episode will be sent weekly.
Special offers will be available to subscribers monthly including: a random offer of a complimentary one hour coaching conversation, access to roundtable engagements and group coaching on identity and related subjects, as well as information on an initiative on which I’m collaborating: #FeMasCon.

Facing Obstacles Banks Your Impact (BYI)

The capacity to face and make the most of every obstacle is essential to banking our impact. A career built on the skill of navigating and responding to obstacles as they arise is generative and progressive. It is easy to lead or contribute when processes are running smoothly.

The BYI system helps participants build the strength to engage when challenges appear. It’s an approach focused on identifying options, making wise choices and committing to influencing desired outcomes. Furthermore, it takes a systematic and experiential approach to influence the outcomes we produce. Moreover, becoming aware of who we are being and how it produces the results in our life is a consequence of the choices we made and how we execute on those choices. Ultimately, creating the life we want starts with the actions we choose to take.

To get what we truly want in life, we need to be willing to persist, seek help, and continually look for transferable learning opportunities. Additionally, we need to be willing to question our choices and expand our options through healthy curiosity and a search for unique perspectives. Moreover, identifying and nurturing our identity is the place to start. A healthy meaningful and full life is made possible with clarity about our values, beliefs, patterns and habits. Additionally, our quality of life is influenced and shaped by our unique blend of strengths and inclinations. Undoubtedly, a growth mindset and open-minded approach are foundations to sustaining this healthy sense of self.

The System

The Bank Your Impact (BYI) System is about both developing and embedding self-awareness. Furthermore, the benefits of expanded resilience, connections built on understanding the impact of belonging and an ability to bolster a professional and authentic presence are foundational. Perhaps more than the other two, developing a foundational resilience is critical to with standing that which moves us into burnout.

The current system incorporates 1:1 coaching, roundtable conversations; eventually I’ll add a neuro-social learning experience (currently only available in organizational contracts but will be added to the system for individual engagement in 2021). My approach is based on the ICF (International Coaching Federation) standards. I’m meeting you (my clients) where you are, both as the coaching agreement begins, and in the moment that exists at the time of each conversation. Progress or growth is not a straight line. The ICA model is the framework for every conversation: Issue/Insight, Choice/Commitment, Action/Accountability. Over the past year I’ve been tightening the model to meet the needs of my clients.

Holding space to support my clients in:

Developing meaningful insights
Expanding/deepening perspective on those insights
Building/designing a practice to try on new ways of being/seeing OR experiment for discovery
Assessing progress, becoming agile in transfer of learning and application before developing additional insights

An organic experience

The experience is tailored around what you bring to each conversation, in my experience, there are common themes that arise including: self-awareness, mindfulness, mindset, communication, connections, and attitude. Self-awareness stands alone but is also a foundational theme. I have registered upwards of 40 sub-concepts that fit under each of these categories. Furthermore, I bring tools, skills and techniques to respond and guide our work together, informed by positive psychology, neuroscience, and management/leadership research.

Walk With Me, to Where You Want to Be

In all my blog posts in 2019, you will find this section outlines what brought me to this area of focus: supporting people in the early to middle part of their career as a #performance #coach.

You can read more about my work and my in the About Me section of the website and below is a recording of my #bigwhystory:

Feel like you’re living someone else’s destiny?

If that’s working for you, great. If it isn’t or it starts to be a problem, reach out. I welcome a conversation.

Willing to do the work to find more meaning?

With the skills to unpack the emotions and barriers and triggers and mindset challenges with the skills in my BYI system, participants begin to see the impact in their career and finally begin to discover what matters most to them. The bonus: they begin to see a path to get there. Join me… My system is intended to be meaningful, relevant, accessible and affordable. With that in mind, there are many ways to engage with me. Below are TWO ways to start, without spending a dime.

Walk with Me!

BOOK a complimentary exploratory 1:1 conversation 20-30 minutes.
SUBSCRIBE to my mailing list. You’ll receive an interactive exercise that you may use to reduce and manage stress or feelings of overwhelm. PLUS each week you’ll receive my podcast and reflections in your inbox AND you’ll be invited to monthly webinars and roundtable conversations.

In closing, I love bringing learning experiences to workplaces that are interested in raising their performance and encouraging their people.

Book me to speak at your conference or to a group in your organization. My workshops on building resilience, improving workplace outcomes through relationships, and increasing performance are big hits! In 2020 I’ve added a few workshops on gender engagement – how, by knocking off the boxes that limit us by gender we all find our capacity expands.

Obstacles ARE the Path Forward