I hate running, but since my gym got closed I can’t really lift weights so I go running. This morning was rough. I’ve been at it for a week and once my joints get lubricated I am fine, but I could only see a few feet in front of me in the dark today.
While running I thought leading is like this . . . especially in crisis.
Next Step
While running on a familiar path I could really only see the next step. I barely could see the obstacle in front of me. As leaders in difficult times we may see only one obstacle in front of us and have to take the next step to maneuver around it or through it without getting taken out. We want to see them all, but in crisis we have to take it one at a time.
Light May Help or Hurt
While running cars coming up the road from behind enabled me to see further down the path. On the other hand, when a car was driving toward me I could see nothing. As we lead in the fog of challenge a lot coming at us may blind us, but the team behind and around us can be the light to see a little further ahead.
A Message of Hope
My battery died in the last five minutes of my run. If you run, you know there is nothing worse than listening to yourself breathe. I headed into our neighborhood park path.
Then I saw something . . .
I paused, turned around, and read what was written in chalk on the path . . .
“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”
As leaders in difficult times people or other resources will come along our path to give us the hope to continue toward the goal.
The Sun Will Break Through
As my day continued the sun began to rise slowly burning away the fog and leading to a beautiful sun-filled day. When leading in the dark fog we may only see the next step, but as we continue moving forward and not give up eventually that fog will clear and we will end up in a brighter place.
I get it, leading in a fog in the dark stinks and you hope you don’t stumble in a fatal way. Don’t quit. The sun will break through. Take the next step and choose hope over fear. Lead Well.
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