I had the privilege of again being at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford this week, where the brilliant Dr Paul Chapman OBE shared this poem by Christopher Logue:
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We’re comfortable back here,” they said.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We’re too busy,” they said.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“It’s too high,” they said.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We’re afraid,” they said.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We’ll fall,” they said.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
And they did.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.
I found it really thought provoking as it speaks to fear of failure and the risk that we stay in our comfort zone as well as the important role we play as leaders in helping to develop our people.
With that in mind, take time to think:
- Have you stayed in your comfort zone this week? Why?
- Where are the opportunities to push yourself out of your comfort zone in the coming weeks and months?
- As you reflect on the last month, how have you created the conditions for your team to develop and fly?
- What else can you, will you, do?
As leaders, we can show our people that we are role modelling the changes that all of us want to see. Let’s be better and be the change – contact [email protected] if you would like help to do so.
For more articles, encouraging you to think and be the change – visit here.