In the US, we’ve just finished our National Thanksgiving – and kicked off the end-of-year rush into the holiday season. Along with the busy, this season also offers its own complexities: celebrations and losses; slowing down, and racing forward; important endings, and new beginnings.
Most of us have a lot to celebrate – beginning with acknowledging the extraordinary life lottery we’ve won by simply living here, in this country, and in this time. Indeed, it’s far from perfect, always an ongoing work in progress, and with unlimited opportunity for improvement nearly everywhere. And yet, still there are millions and millions who would immediately trade us places for the chance to live themselves in our dreams.
Family. Friends. Health. Safety. Business. Profession. Identity. Life.
What’s on your list of amazing right now?
Thanksgiving, indeed.
And yet, this morning, I’m thinking not of these true (but more obvious) reasons for our Thanksgiving – but instead those aspects of our business and life that we usually consider not as features, but as bugs. I mean the common, endemic, and insidious problems, challenges, and impediments to success that we all face.
Not the things that are easy, but those that are hard.
Now, who in their right mind would offer thanksgiving for the things we face that are difficult? Well, I for one – and maybe you as well. Here are three specific ideas on my mind:
Business: Yes, I am thankful that business is hard, because if it was easy (or easier) then most everyone would be doing it. Fair competition offers each of us an opportunity to think, act, and do – differently from others. As a result, some are more creative, some more dedicated, and some work harder. Not all are successful, but (ideally) the meritocracy rewards the most deserving. Those who earn it, win it. As an entrepreneur, I am energized and engaged by the reality that it is absolutely up to me – it’s in my control. Again, it’s not a perfect system, but it’s the best I’ve seen so far.
People: I’m thankful too that human beings are challenging – difficult, complex, layered, nuanced. Working with others, acting together, and delivering with and through teams and groups is perhaps the toughest challenge of all. It isn’t always pretty (one client CEO says, ‘I’m spending nearly half my time in the HR sh+%&t show!’) Still, if you figure it out, crack the code, and get the people part right (or at least a little ‘righter’) … then, look out! This work is, we think, at the very heart of the corporation: doing things together that we cannot do ourselves. We’re wired this way, socially, and not meant to do important things alone.
The Future: I’m thankful too that the road ahead is cloudy, and murky – that the future promises still more uncertainty, ambiguity, volatility – and change. We’ll argue about pathways, forecasts, predictions, options. Some will be right, and others not. Some win, and some won’t. And again, those who think, act, and do better than others (through experience, expertise, intelligence, alignment, strategy, innovation, commitment, or engagement) will reap the rewards of their effort. That seems fair to me.
We often move through our lives – measured in hours, days, week, months, and years – wondering why things can’t be easier, grousing about the roadblocks in our way, and fearful of the change and risk we’ll face ahead.
But we’re wrong to do that, because our real enemy isn’t the hard – it’s the easy. Easy paths lead to crowds, to commoditization, and to complacency. Easy leads to trophies for all, and a win for none. On the other hand, hard paths lead to work, and effort – and to differentiation, distinction, and success – for those who step up, stand out, and deliver. Isn’t that what we really want?
We are so very blessed. Our clients are successful (many of them remarkably so) – but they are not complacent. Extraordinary leaders are unsatisfied with today, with the status quo. They are impatient for additional action, for progress, for continued improvement. The next win, next level, next step. These people are our people, and our tribe – the extraordinary leaders, and the extraordinary professional firms.
We’re extremely grateful for the many blessings we’ve enjoyed this year – projects, clients, experiences – and our very best business year yet. We’re also thankful that many of these things – with business, people, and the future itself – aren’t so easy, and remain challenging. These challenges demand our attention, and our effort. Clarity, consensus, and commitment. Steel, sharpening steel.
And so, with all of the sincere, heartfelt thanks we can muster – for your connection, your business, and your friendship – we wish for you all a complex, difficult, and challenging journey ahead (along with, of course, the success, satisfaction, and sensation that comes to those who have truly earned the prize)!
Happy Holidays!
