I paint, creating magic out of a cabinet 100 years old, and I lose time. I am so very focused.
It’s Sunday morning. My first impulse as my eyes open is to finish the painting I started the night before…finish. Finish. Finish. I head to my studio, and I focus.
I finish and realize more time passed than planned. I rush to get my family to church. Girls and creative clothing options flurry as we rush out the door. Girls. Girls. Girls. Sigh. Girls.
This amazing place…a sanctuary. My husband and I cherish the time we are child-free, swaying to the thralls of the musicians and then listening, learning, breathing as the message unfolds. But not today.
As I sing, I notice flashing lights and my husband’s voice prompting me to step out of my comfort zone, to do something I’ve never done at this church. When the light flashes 1000 at church, the message is: Please help.
I help. I am a helper. I must help. I envision holding babies in the nursery as I rush to the desk. My colleague awaits- ironically, the only person I know at church. I offer to help and he escorts me to the 3rd and 4th grade rooms. My girls are 2 and 3. I freeze, wondering if I should tell him how scared I am. I take the “fake it until you make it” approach instead.
A cross with paper links catches my attention. Children are asked to tear a link and let go of something deep inside them. A boy lets go of a dream to have a puppy, another boy lets go of the birthday present he never got, and the 3rd boy says, “I guess I should let go of wishing my parents get back together. ” His friend nods and pats his back as my eyes burn holding back tears.
I learn from these children about love, sorrow, relationships, boys vs. girls, and how easy love, laughter, and togetherness really can be. I clearly learned more in that hour than I would have if I had ignored the flashing lights.
How does this relate to leadership? Leaders often use intuition to do their art, to help others develop, and to design their own career path. It’s sometimes the most handy tool in their tool box.
Not all opportunities are flashing lights but are ordinary things perceived in extraordinary ways. I learned early in my career that paying close attention to intuition gets you places you never knew you would go and offers valuable insight and learning. However, intuition often evokes growth which means painful challenges are faced through the process.
As a leader, it is of great value to understand this about yourself and those you lead. Sometimes “I just feel this is important” is enough justification for that next opportunity that will eventually bring you all to a better place. The trick is to understand yourself and trust your intuition.
When were you inspired by your intuition? What did you learn?
Inspiring New Leaders 