Thank you for showing up
Photo by Terrie Schweitzer
This week I found myself telling someone, “thank you for showing up," and while it made perfect sense in my head, it didn’t come out quite right. The person and those nearby didn’t know that I’ve been practicing being present. Staying in level 2 and 3 listening with individuals and teams. Ignoring electronics during meetings. Thinking about what I need to do and be before I attend meetings. Working on self-management and care. Trying to discover “Allison” and let the masks down more.
Showing up is a BIG DEAL!
In the workplace, it’s become harder to get people’s time, let alone their attention. Commitments are becoming weaker or missing entirely because there’s so much to do. Emotions run higher than normal because of the stress. Meetings are less effective because key people are not present. Folks are reactive rather than proactive. Dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!
Ok, maybe not the last part. Organizations are complex, and the pace of business is super-fast. It is all too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of work, and we need more steadfast individuals to remind us to slow down. The only way to go fast is to go well.
So I sincerely meant thank you for showing up, for being present, for making good on a committed action and letting people see you as a leader and a person. That’s no easy feat.
What would it say about your character and values if you put aside all distractions to be present with someone for an hour today?
Show up.
We need you.
