Leader and Student: A Symphony
and the right time to open your mind and learn ...
Every time you are ready to explore and learn something new, how do you feel?
Is there inertia? Is there procrastination? Or are you all set and ready to wander into the unknown.
As a leader, it can be challenging to hold a steady ground and feel like the foundation is set in the right way. Guess what, sometimes we are hacking our way through until we find our authentic voice and lead by example.
I am blessed to have led teams across the world and the best part is the opportunity to inspire and influence folks in their mindset.
In our PMA scholar class yesterday, I shared with my students - the 21 books that changed my thinking mindset and showed me the path less traveled. To feel calm and peace amidst the uncertainty and chaos.
Swimming
If you know swimming and take it for granted, please don’t. I had tried to learn swimming 10 years ago, but without much success. And now I am committed to learn to swim. So far in the past month, I feel at ease in the water - I can float and hold my breath - that is a small win. I feel less tired and exhausted as compared to 10 years ago. Perhaps I have better stamina and energy now than before.
When I came to the UK in May, I got a chance to go the Better UK to learn swimming. Just a few weeks ago, I had mentioned how I love the water and the ocean but can’t swim when I was in Lisbon, and there was a swimming pool 5min from the apartment. But I had inertia to take the first step. I convinced myself that I don’t speak portuguese and I was certain that there wouldn’t be instructors who speak english. I didn’t want to feel unsafe in the pool with language as barrier.
Yes, I am continuing my learning portuguese on duolingo, but it’s barely enough to have a conversation. So, when the chance to learn swimming came again I took it with my whole heart and mind, determined to learn to swim in 2 months.
I love the ocean and it connects with me in ways I cannot describe. I am determined and focused. This cannot be an excuse anymore. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, learning to swim wasn’t on the list of options for girls and I didn’t think much until I was exposed to the different lifestyles around the world while living in the US.
And who knew swimming is a dance of our mind and body in a rhythm? Right now, I am learning to swim and breathe and it’s hard. I can only coordinate one thing at a time. Our instructor says to count “one mississippi, two mississippi, three mississippi, breathe”. And I opened my mouth to say it and took in a lot of water.. silly me. Take 2, I counted in my mind, only to realise that I was holding my breath.
Learn to unlearn
The biggest lesson as a leader is to unlearn. That’s where authenticity shines. Because only you can be you. No matter what you know, always have a beginner’s mind. This will change your life for the best.
I think that’s why I love to travel and explore. The comfortness of walking a new street a few times and then knowing your way is just wonderful. I have been to Cambridge 3 times, and recently showed my friend who lives in the UK around River Cam and was amazed how I already felt comfortable with the streets. Yes, there were a few times I popped up google maps, but even the streets that I hadn’t walked felt welcoming. Not the feeling lost sense, but the wow, a new road and path to learn and discover. This is magical. That’s the ability to unlearn what we know and make room for all the new things in life.
That was cooking for me as well. Before, I cooked for cooking sake - it was a chore. Now I cook because there is a synchronicity that I enjoy when the spices and flavors blend to create a dish and recipe that I never tried before. I love to experiment and try new things. I am embracing that part of me. I don’t like to cook fast. I take my sweet time to cook slow and enjoy the journey. And food seems to taste better.
As you learn who you want to be, listen to the sounds and the aura around you. It speaks to you. The energy can make you feel alive. And that is a beautiful feeling.
Embrace the shift and the winds will craft the next step in your journey. Your symphony with the orchestra of your words, thoughts and actions. You belong.
To the explorers and the change makers, find what makes your heart sing a song, dance to a rhythm and follow that authentic voice.
That’s the kind of authentic leader who you want to be.