Unlocking Capacity:

Leadership Thoughts in Appreciative Management

Here is a custom blog from the minds at the AiMS institute:

I’ve written before about the gifts that have come from tragedy.

I see so many parallels to the experience of leadership.

I’ve seen the best in how people love, support and care for one another.

I’ve seen how deep loss can transform, for the better, the way people look at the world.

Now I’m experiencing the massive dose of humility that comes from losing a child.

And while it’s painful and confusing at times, it’s an important gift.

I was very, very worried about Chloe before she passed away.

I hoped my love, support, encouragement, cheerleading curiosity, presence and interest would be enough to lift her to a better place.

I thought I might have that power if I just loved her enough.

I didn’t.

And I never did.

All I could do was my best.

And she’s dead.

I did my best. And my daughter is dead.

That can be a hard, hard thing to reckon with.

In some ways we’re immensely powerful and in others we’re utterly powerless.

It’s easy to confuse the two.

Sometimes being reminded that we’re powerless where we thought we were powerful can be good for the soul.

It can remind us where to focus our energy.

It can clarify what we need to let go or to just let be.

It can help us forgive ourselves.

That’s what I’m working on right now and I know I’ll get there.

Maybe you’re doing the same thing.

Carrying around guilt, shame or regret for “failing” at something that was never in your control.

If you are, maybe consider putting the load down.

Even for just a minute.

The rest might make it a little easier to see that it was never yours to carry.

It might create the space for you to learn and grow.

It might help you chart a different path when you’re ready to get moving again.

Leadership, like life, is filled with opportunity and challenges – some of them incredibly difficult.

Mistakes will happen. Failures will happen. Beating yourself up will happen.

Learn what’s in your control and do your best at it.

And just keep trying.

I love you Chloe. I did my best and I know you did too little buddy.

Best Regards

Jason MacKenzie
COO, AiMS Institute

Whenever you’re ready, there are three ways we can help you business leader/owner:

1.    If you’re a leader looking to learn how to lead productive 1-1 and team meetings that drive results, improve culture and engage/develop people, click here to book a call with me to learn about our leadership development program Leading Productive Meetings.

2.    If you’re finding it almost impossible to get your team aligned, engaged and executing on the goals that matter most to you, click here to learn how implementing AiMS as a management system will help you create breakthrough business results.

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