Dear Friend,
I hope this finds you well. Thank you for allowing me to join you on this journey.
During the week I’ve particularly appreciated my working companions and want to explore with you why this is so important.
Our brains are ‘social’
Although we may do a lot of our deep thinking and reflection alone, our brains are wired so that interaction with others does produce generative insights. What this means is that we can only go so far in isolation.
This isn’t just about others seeing our blind spots or cognitive biases. Chemically, something is released when we think with others. Sometimes this stems from an alternative pathway that someone suggests, that leads us to places we wouldn’t have gone. Other times it’s simply the act of being listened to that unlocks our thinking. But apparently, it’s also the fact that our brains function differently when we’re thinking, listening and developing with others present.
This week this happened during a Global Gathering on Zoom for the Right Company. The conversation was great, though a little vulnerable for me as I was asking for help to understand business challenges. While the responses were helpful, it was what was released in my mind as a result that was super powerful.
I now have a far clearer, practical appreciation of what I bring as an organisational strategist and founder of Quiet Disruptors. Thank you.
I have seen this happen a number of times now and it’s awesome – every time!
Choose your companions well
Yes, it really does matter who we surround ourselves with, both online and in person. We can be intentional about those we give influence to.
However, in the daily realities of life, we can easily drift. Or feel that we don’t have agency because of our circumstances. And of course, the answer is a resounding ‘yes and no’.
If we’re serious about doing good work and being our best selves, then we do need to ask difficult questions. And make adjustments over time, having a clearer sense of imperative and direction. As Mary Oliver so evocatively suggests, it does matter what we do with our ‘one wild and precious life.’
I promise you, there are plenty of people out there who want to cheer you on. Look around, and even summon the courage to ask…
Thank you
This last twelve months has been a watershed for me and my family. Looking back I almost can’t believe how much has changed. And a very significant contribution has been made by those we are now connected with.
So thank you: Bernadette Jiwa, Mark Dyck and the Right Company; Seth Godin’s The Podcasting Fellowship; Alison Jones and The Extraordinary Business Book Club (including those on the 10-day challenge and now the Bootcamp); Linden Church, Swansea; CODA; good friends, old and new; those who read my sporadic SueWaterside blog… and all of you reading this now.
Diolch yn fawr iawn – thanks very much (in Welsh)
Sue
PS. For those who would like to get more involved in developing Quiet Disruptors – please read on…
Bookclub
I am writing a book on Quiet Disruptors and would really appreciate your insights and suggestions. We are just re-doing the website and will have a page where I share work in progress. If you’d like to help, then please take a look and consider signing up for updates. Thanks.
This Week
Another week of exploring as we go. Thanks for the feedback.
– Monday: Being present
– Tuesday: Fresh eyes
– Wednesday: Speed or complexity – it pays to know the difference
– Thursday: The dignity of names
– Friday: The gift of today