Know your Wheels

Carrying the past into the future is often fraught with fear by organizations undergoing change. Some leaders believe that putting too much emphasis on the past promotes values and beliefs that may curve innovation; tighten perspectives; limit opportunities and nurture emotional dependence to things that no longer fit. To some extent, this may be true –but not always. .

There is often times a pearl with perpetual clarity and lustre, despite numerous changes around it. The wheel is certainly an example of this. Across the ages this rotating circular device has continued to support, drive and facilitate creativity while in a larger context, meeting a most basic economic need: that of transportation.

It is up to organizations to identify and build from devices that will stand the test of time; from inventions or inventors that will continue to shape the organization’s history. Change can forge ahead and progress can embody brilliance even more so when key contributors to an organization’s success are identified to build a better future. People, systems, products and relationships should be assessed for their ability to be the catalyst for change as opposed to a target for change. This will contribute to easier changes and better outcomes. In short, know your wheels.

Photo: Driving to work in Kabul, Afghanistan. February, 2008.

Tinkering at the Borders

Most of the time we only see what our world brings: the son’s hockey game, the daughter’s dance lesson, the odd training event at work, the favourite restaurants, the early morning traffic, the three meals a day, the weekly trip to the bank, the visit to the local gym and the pre-programmed radio and television channels.

This world is our theatre – the place where we get to interact with the rest of the world in a manner that we were taught it should be. Providing consistency, assurance, and yes – comfort – because all is how it should be. The theatre provides a platform of enduring content unifying environment with expectations, building in us a fairly consistent view of the world. This theatre provides a stage with borders that we rarely tinker with; but when we do – the view does change and we grow.

Recently, in a conversation with a colleague, I was told that there was a mid-day event planned at the Canadian Guesthouse in Kabul. Normally my day is dedicated to a few meetings, time at the computer, a phone call at home, a Dari lesson and a brief exercise session. But here was an opportunity to tinker at the borders – so I expressed an interest and was graciously invited to attend.

The event in question was a party of sorts for a group of Afghan orphans ranging between the ages of 1 and 15 years of age. Most were girls and all liked to play, very much. So I wore my flats and spent a wonderful hour playing ball with several girls. My work with the Ministry of Justice took a different meaning – reminded me of who this work was for. It strengthened my resolve and launched new perspectives - all while making very special friends. Here are a few pictures of the event.