I resonated with this so deeply—in a purely aspirational sense. Of the three, I am solidly in this domain, but have never been in a role where this was valued. Orgs would be my second.
I have always idolized those who have ideas as their number one or two and I think this article—particularly the people you picked as exemplars—are invaluable in helping me embrace my own domains.
It’s interesting to me that these three domains each have their own well-worn paths to legacy. Yet they all have terrain that is yet to be trod.
Well said — glad you are getting clarity. I haven’t talked about it yet—but I do think things can shift in our focus from time to time and increase/decrease based on season of life, experience, and even expectations. Ideas and People are my more natural bent—but being a second chair demanded huge org focus for me for almost 20 years, so in some ways that became my #1 for a long while.
The phrase "relational currency" comes to my mind here. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that with little relational currency I cannot effectively do my job or have an impact on the lives of the people in my circle.
What a great article and lessons from JoAnne. It's easy to push against the idea of organizations when you don't seem well connected or represented, but this is a great call to patience and perseverance. I especially receive that call as it's clear that continually pushing against or cutting out of organizations often causes one to lose the relationships which are such a clear currency, especially in the realm of influence.
Great point on perseverance. And you are right how orgs and relationships are so hand in hand. In my transition this year away from organizational influence I am trying to figure out how to not lose that momentum—and channel people into orgs even though I am not currently employed by one. I am trying to think like a mobilizer IN TANDEM with orgs I don’t even work for.
Indeed! There’s something he said about swimming upstream against the societal pressure to center life around work. This makes work/workplace an all-too natural “main” source of relationships.
In my own brief stint with the UMC my relationships within TWC measurably diminished, and there’s only so much capacity to maintain relationships beyond the ones you need to work with. That’s part of why I love this idea of connecting in order to accomplish, as you noted about JoAnne.
Lots to consider here. Praying for you and weathering the changing dynamics of work, relationship, and influence. Something that helps me in my own periods of transition is a fresh read of Alicia Britt Chile’s “Anonymous”. A devotional journey with Jesus’ time in the wilderness.
Yes I think talking about it in this "domain" sense helps me understand that even if I don't have a systemic/employee/org reason to do "shoulder-work" with others, I need to FIND A WAY to do that shoulder work to accomplish things, sometimes even with the same people, to do the big mission. Thankfully the drive and "value-generating-cycle" of my life has actually not changed in my work change. I am still multi-vocationally going after the same 4 things. (and so are you in many ways I've noticed).
thanks for the prayers--mine are going up for you in this too. The example you give of the "brief stint" away is cautionary--so easy for that to happen. It seems this is a reminder for me to make some phone calls/texts :-)
I resonated with this so deeply—in a purely aspirational sense. Of the three, I am solidly in this domain, but have never been in a role where this was valued. Orgs would be my second.
I have always idolized those who have ideas as their number one or two and I think this article—particularly the people you picked as exemplars—are invaluable in helping me embrace my own domains.
It’s interesting to me that these three domains each have their own well-worn paths to legacy. Yet they all have terrain that is yet to be trod.
Well said — glad you are getting clarity. I haven’t talked about it yet—but I do think things can shift in our focus from time to time and increase/decrease based on season of life, experience, and even expectations. Ideas and People are my more natural bent—but being a second chair demanded huge org focus for me for almost 20 years, so in some ways that became my #1 for a long while.
Pure gold! Thank you
thanks much!
The phrase "relational currency" comes to my mind here. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that with little relational currency I cannot effectively do my job or have an impact on the lives of the people in my circle.
For sure--we try to do things without relationships so often--as if our sheer will or genius gets it done. Nope. Always need people :-)
What a great article and lessons from JoAnne. It's easy to push against the idea of organizations when you don't seem well connected or represented, but this is a great call to patience and perseverance. I especially receive that call as it's clear that continually pushing against or cutting out of organizations often causes one to lose the relationships which are such a clear currency, especially in the realm of influence.
Great point on perseverance. And you are right how orgs and relationships are so hand in hand. In my transition this year away from organizational influence I am trying to figure out how to not lose that momentum—and channel people into orgs even though I am not currently employed by one. I am trying to think like a mobilizer IN TANDEM with orgs I don’t even work for.
Indeed! There’s something he said about swimming upstream against the societal pressure to center life around work. This makes work/workplace an all-too natural “main” source of relationships.
In my own brief stint with the UMC my relationships within TWC measurably diminished, and there’s only so much capacity to maintain relationships beyond the ones you need to work with. That’s part of why I love this idea of connecting in order to accomplish, as you noted about JoAnne.
Lots to consider here. Praying for you and weathering the changing dynamics of work, relationship, and influence. Something that helps me in my own periods of transition is a fresh read of Alicia Britt Chile’s “Anonymous”. A devotional journey with Jesus’ time in the wilderness.
Yes I think talking about it in this "domain" sense helps me understand that even if I don't have a systemic/employee/org reason to do "shoulder-work" with others, I need to FIND A WAY to do that shoulder work to accomplish things, sometimes even with the same people, to do the big mission. Thankfully the drive and "value-generating-cycle" of my life has actually not changed in my work change. I am still multi-vocationally going after the same 4 things. (and so are you in many ways I've noticed).
thanks for the prayers--mine are going up for you in this too. The example you give of the "brief stint" away is cautionary--so easy for that to happen. It seems this is a reminder for me to make some phone calls/texts :-)
*Alicia Britt Chole
So—let’s chat here about it. Your take?