If you’re like me, you were taught Gravity rules like “Don’t rock the boat,” or “Don’t break the eggs.” As a girl, I was especially programmed by my little southern mother that I should smooth things over, avoid conflict and generally make everyone happy.
That may be a reasonable approach in some social situations – but it creates big-time Gravity when it comes to your business. Yet many of us subconsciously follow that rule, not wanting to surface sensitive issues that might cause conflict and angst.
That often means we don’t address the problems that are limiting our businesses. We don’t bring up the tough subjects, pursue the new opportunities that might cause dissension in the ranks. By not doing the right things, we continue doing the wrong things – and our Gravity grows heavier and heavier.
Think about it. Are there changes you’d like to make in your business yet you don’t want to upset people for fear of pushback or a big upheaval in the ranks? Maybe you don’t want to upset your boss with a truth that no one wants to admit. After all – who wants to be the messenger of change?
It’s time we ditched that particular Gravity thinking, forever.
Great leaders do rock the boat, they do break the eggs, they do question everything and continually push for fresh perspectives and approaches. Market leader soar because they continuously and consciously adapt to their customers ever-changing needs.
You can’t be dynamic without breaking some eggs and tipping the boat. It’s impossible. And FYI, that’s another Gravity belief, thinking that we can even try to change without a bit of angst. It’s human nature to resist change. It’s human nature to hold onto what is safe, known and comfortable.
That means that to alter human nature, to shift from Gravity to Growth – leaders have to break eggs. They have to ask the tough questions, instill a culture of curiosity and constant questioning.
With broken eggs come new ideas, fresh perspectives, new approaches. By breaking eggs – we create the new and opportune.
As we begin to think about 2011 – I think it’s time we also thought about how to break some eggs. Our new economy has scrambled most of our knowns and truths. We are operating in a brave new world – filled with opportunity for those who are ready to step up, rock the boat and shift.
Are you ready to break some eggs and shift your thinking?
