Mini-Saga 1: The Tsunami and Your Leadership

February 16, 2014 — 8 Comments
Your leadership will face untenable constraints.

How will you respond to the Tsunami that awaits your Leadership?
Image courtesy of federico stevanin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

T S U N A M I !

Crushing, demolishing, relentless.

Then, miraculous

L I F E !

The son, focused on getting his injured mother to safety amid destruction,

purposely ignores a whimper.

Until his mother speaks.

“What if that boy was Simon or Thomas?

You would want someone to help them…

Even if it’s the last thing we do.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those words of extraordinary heart-centered leadership are from Maria Belon, the real-life mother who wrote about surviving the 2004 Tsunami that hit Thailand.  Her book is the basis for the movie: “The Impossible” and the powerful “Even if it’s the last thing we do” scene:

 

 

From which a question emerges for us as leaders:

When the tsunami-at-work hits, 

Will you lose or elevate your leadership?

Don't let the tsunami-at-work bring you down.

Your Leadership Can Soar — Even When Facing Untenable Constraints
Image courtesy of njaj / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The call-to-action for today:

#TakeThisMoment

to reflect and prepare deep from within.

Practice and Repeat.

~ Jackie Yun

Reflection and Practice ensures Your Leadership Won't Desert You

Reflect, Prepare and Practice To Gain Leadership Strength
Image courtesy of James Barker / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Notes:

After seeing “The Impossible” on DVD, the “Even if it’s the last thing we do” scene wouldn’t leave me.  I wanted to blog about it to remind myself about not losing one’s leadership when faced with untenable constraints, but couldn’t get it done.

Then I saw this article, “How To View Constraints as Blessings in Disguise” by Rajesh Setty.

Serendipity and catharsis meet!

  • The title itself is an inspiring tip for leaders facing that tsunami-at-work.  Rajesh’s article begins with a focus on writing and segues into a 5-step plan for seeing constraints as blessings from a life and business perspective.
  • Rajesh writes about the 50 word mini-saga format.  Trying it, I overcame my blogging impasse and that’s how a 50 word mini-saga became the opener for this post. 🙂
  • In my post’s call-to-action, the request to dig deep is not easy.  People get stuck.  One way to get unstuck is to approach this from a seemingly unrelated construct.  For example, if you journal, try Rajesh’s 50 word [constrained] mini-saga format.  The idea is that this can trigger you to get to that place where the mind, heart and gut can have an honest conversation — then you can dig deep.

Please let me know what you think.

The comments section is open, awaiting your thoughts.

8 responses to Mini-Saga 1: The Tsunami and Your Leadership

  1. Jackie,
    I LOVE your 50-word mini-saga. It’s potent; it’s powerful; it sucks the reader in. As well, I was compelled to watch the brief video, as it punctuated your ‘saga’ with auditory exclamation. It leaves me considering, ‘would I do the same thing if faced with such dire circumstances?’ I certainly hope so.

    Then, you layer your poignant message about heart-centered leadership with a lesson about storytelling. We all get stuck or stymied from time to time as to how to get traction on an idea. It feels big and overwhelming. You kept the idea for this post simmering and upon reading Rajesh Setty’s post, you found the tool (mini-saga) to get traction. From there, your message clearly flowed!

    Another post that will linger in my mind for weeks/months to come.

    Thank you!
    Jacqui

    • Hello Jacqui,

      “I can no other answer make, but thanks, and thanks and ever thanks.” ~ William Shakespeare

      Your kind words can only be matched from The Bard himself. Please know there is much appreciation in my heart even if the words are not mine!

      Leading me to say I love your new business endeavor: "I Want To Write For You". I can see how people will want to partner with you for “thank you notes all the way to novels” — and more!

      Best to you, my friend,
      Jackie

  2. Jackie,
    Your posts remind me of a younger me when the wait for my birthday, or Christmas, was filled with such anticipation. Your posting schedule does the same. I wonder what is under wraps – it’s always enlightening and heart-warming.

    Our friend, Jacqui, eloquently sums up my feelings, so I’ll just say “Ditto!”, or should that be Ctrl C? 🙂

    When stuck on a problem, it is important to change perspective It could be literally physically changing position as in standing up, moving around or looking at the paper sideways. Rajesh recommends a different approach – it almost seems like its inciting the rebel – “Well, let’s see if you can/can’t make this deadline.”

    Regardless, a change in perspective, changes things – often for the better.

    Well done!

    Warmly,
    Marianna

    • Marianna,

      I’m all smiles about your generous words! I must confess that while I am no match for Santa Claus, I did own a red power suit back in the day.

      Your point that a slight physical change can be a great impetus is so true. Good to try when one is stuck.

      Thank you for all your support and encouragement.

      Xoxo

      Jackie

  3. For some time, I’ve been making the 140-character Tweet a type of constraint, and I’ve come to love it. Then I did an entire communication class in four-line whole pieces. My students tell me this version is more fun and understandable than my other version. I treat writing poetry as a constraint because I choose before I write the number of syllables and the types of repeating sounds. So in my jobs, I find some people want always to push the envelope while I’m more likely to find creative ways to work within the constraints. This is the way of working that energizes me.

    • Hello Wilma,

      So glad you shared your experience — thank you! I’ll bet it will encourage people to view constraints differently. It’s surprising that constraints can foster better understanding and even fun, such as your students have discovered.

      Shifting perspectives can be so powerful in moving us forward.

      I happened upon this quote from Igor Stravinsky which I thought you would enjoy given your music background: “The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees one’s self.”. Worth thinking about.

      Love connecting with you in our digital world and IRL!

      Jackie

  4. I like your definition of integrity.
    “Integrity: Not losing one’s leadership when faced with untenable contraints.”Jackie Yun

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