Lessons From the Desert

I returned to work on Monday after several days of exploring the desert. As a New England kid, the beauty of the desert was lost on me for many years, but for a long time now, I’ve come to love and appreciate what makes the desert gorgeous and healing in its own way. A big part of that for me is the wildlife... the small chipmunks, lizards, and birds that dart here and there, between bushes, trees, and rocks, barely noticeable in certain circumstances, their markings and coloring having adapted to help them blend into their environment, and hide when necessary. During my hike through Monument Valley, I saw small birds the same color as the sage brush. It got me thinking about safety—physical, emotional, mental, financial, and how we achieve those feelings at work. Sadly, this often looks like adapting to what gets rewarded, whether that is agreeing with the boss, being quiet in meetings, dressing like others, assuming certain ways of talking and behaving... the list can be quite long for some people. As we wrap up 2018, I’ll be thinking about how we, as leaders, provide emotional and intellectual safety for our employees. Sage-colored birds are beautiful, but to innovate and compete in today’s market, we need all of the birds to come together, and be bold.