Chapters of Leadership - Settling
Key Responsibilities - Full Article
A Different Kind of R&R
It is easy to have our energy, focus and efforts diverted in everyday life. Would you be surprised if I told you recent research shows (worldwide) the average user spends 2 hrs and 23 min per day on social media platforms? The research now shows that we spend 35.8% of our daily online activities on social media. There are many implications to this statistic, but I would suggest at minimum it creates a significant challenge for the next generation of well | rooted leaders.
Rhythms of Rest Have to Outpace Rhythms of Fluctuation
As we walk through the often erratic chapter of SETTLING there is something we must do to counter it. The statistics above not only speak to the distraction of time, but also the allure of scrolling, reading and then thinking we understand the content. Much like an anchor helping a ship weather the fluctuating seas, there are two key responsibilities we must embrace. If we are going to successfully navigate through the settling chapter of our story, we must have intentional rhythms that give us permission to set anchor.
There is a plethora of content out there around the need to take time for R&R. We all see the posts of people skiing on mountains, laying on the beach, vacationing with family. It’s important to say that those things are absolutely wonderful. However, I would like to suggest there is now a need for a different kind of R&R. One that goes beyond time away from our “day job”. Rest and relaxation have their place, but the different R&R I am referring to is reflection & recognition. For us to extract the fullness offered in this season, each of us must find intentional times of reflection and recognition.
Rootedness Is Often a By-Product of Silence
The most direct and unhindered path to meaningful reflection and recognition is silence. There is scientific evidence showing how silence can actually regenerate brain cells. Why is this important? In a chapter of leadership where discovering your natural giftings can be shrouded - oftentimes because of life events - taking time to intentionally sit in silence becomes paramount. Those new neural pathways created in the silence can enable you to look backwards, see accurately and move forward with renewed purpose.
If you are currently a leader of people, I strongly encourage you to find a way to create rhythms for you and your leaders to intentionally reflect and recognize. A couple of things I have implemented with my current team you could consider: First, every Friday there’s a standing calendar invite for the last hour of the day with a weekly framework designed to create reflection and recognition. Second, there’s a standing calendar invite called the 4+4. This is a monthly (last Friday of each month) calendar invite where I give my leaders an intentional ½ day to leave the office for intentional and deep reflection & recognition.
If you are not a leader of people, I cannot encourage you enough to not wait for a leader to do this for you. Look at your calendar, block out some intentional rhythms to sit in silence and reflect and recognize. Spending time in silence has been one of the most personally challenging and fruitful things I have done over the past 20yrs. If we are going to be well | rooted leaders, there will be a necessity to silently reflect, recognize and disconnect from the distractions constantly vying for our attention. What’s preventing you from taking steps towards the new R&R?
Stay Rooted ~
