The best quote from the i4cp conference for me was during Kenny Moore's session when in justifying his poor penmanship, he stated " Bad handwriting is a sign of greatness."
I really enjoyed Kenny's presentation, particularly his model around the work of leadership. The movements between problems, predicaments, and mystery. I value the lineage of his thinking in talking about mystery, but think it might be a struggle to discuss mystery with many of my senior leaders. Perhaps, couching it within the frame of uncertainty, may be a bit more useful for me. Nonetheless, it is a useful model.
His approach highlights, for me, the varying degrees of complexity we face in our roles. It is a useful diagnostic on where we spend our time.
1. Problems - Solutions
This is where many individual contributors are focused (and why we get paid). However, we need to have the insight to know when we are trying to solve a problem and seek a solution. As opposed to addressing a predicament.
2. Predicament - Movement
This becomes the domain of ambiguity and uncertainty. Rather, than applying a 'problem-solving' mindset. What is required is a shift to anticipating where impact and efficiencies can be made. There are no answers to solutions or predicaments.
As Kenny pointed out most of our leaders are not comfortable with predicaments. They like solving problems - that is what they are good at. Their problem solving capabilities are what got them their in the first place.
3. Mystery - Awe
This is the realm that is often overlooked. How one is feeling connected with themselves and the organization? Is one working within an authentic stance - pursuing their sense of vocation. Often leaders are consumed with their work and draw a large sense of identity from it. Only to find a sense of imbalance towards the end of their career. In terms of the organization it is knowing about which questions to ask - sometimes we need to ask bigger questions our ourselves, our teams, and our business.
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