Augur

I like to lead, so when a recent invitation to head up a committee left me with mixed emotions I was puzzled.  Our focus is a topic I’m passionate about, but I found myself becoming impatient during the goal setting, feeling that our group has really low expectations in terms of what we can accomplish.  Frustration welling up and unable to pinpoint the source, I held my tongue during the meeting, hanging up the phone with serious reservations about taking this on. 

With some time to think it’s become evident that the group is probably right to corral me.  We’re in the inaugural year of this organization.  There are no shoes to fill, no precedents set, no real metrics to hit (or crush); any achievement will likely be well-received. Under-promise and over-deliver, right?   But still . . .

The problem, I’ve decided, is that I’m a visionary in this area. While the work my team is doing is admirable, will be clamored for by those invited to experience it, and appreciated by all who embrace it, in my mind it doesn’t get to the heart of the matter. It feels a little like yesterday’s news and so it’s not where I want to spend my time.  But it’s exactly where I need to spend to my time. 

Where I’ve landed on this is that by taking it on I’ll grow in some very important areas.  Up to this point most everything I’ve been responsible for in my career has had my fingerprints all over it. This opportunity offers the chance for me to experience what it’s like to be completely hands-off, to truly allow the team to own absolutely everything.  I have no doubt they will be successful; they are a group of wildly enthusiastic, take-charge individuals. 

I’m looking forward to where this will take me as a leader, because I see now that by being at the helm of this piece of work, even though it’s not my vision, I will build the credibility I need to move my vision forward. 

Ironically, this is the very same place I’m moving into with child-raising.  Recent events have helped me to recognize that it’s time to step way back, allowing my oldest to own his successes and failures. It’s not an easy place to be, but it’s the right place. 

It never fails to surprise me that just when I think I’ve reached the highest branch and there is nowhere else to expand, or stretch, or grow, another one materializes.  


Fait accompli.  Next stop Brooklyn.

I’m ready to mail my sketchbook to the Brooklyn Art Library, proud to contribute another piece of work to their global crowd-sourced art project, The Sketchbook Project 2013.  A synopsis of all of the new places I took myself last year, documenting this work in such a highly personal way is also revealing new frontiers for 2013. 

I can’t wait to get on board.