Someone once told me that being a parent is a gradual process of letting go. The day you take your new baby home it is completely and entirely dependent upon you in order for it to survive. Gradually over the years your child is able to do more for itself and its reliance on you lessens. There are many milestones that require you to ‘let go’ in order for your child to grow. First steps, first day at school, first sleepover. Big school, Big Day Out*, big bad world.Recently my eldest graduated from University, got his first full time job and moved two hours away from home. In the same week as he got his job my 17 year old daughter got her car licence. We have seen her twice in four weeks! I have been doing a lot of ‘letting go’ lately and it has caused me to reflect on life’s journey. If we don’t let go then there won’t be growth, it’s as simple as that. There is no alternative if we want life to go on.
What are you holding onto that may be limiting your growth and development? What do you have in a death grip that you really should release and move on? Are you being held back as a leader because of what has happened in the past? Here are some of the beliefs that I have encouraged aspiring leaders to let go of in order to grow
- they are always right
- their way is the only way
- they will appear weak if they ask for help
- they won’t be respected if they treat people with kindness
- it’s too late to start to become a better leader.
Think about what you need to let go of and if we can help you grow, let us know.Cheers
Greg
*Big Day Out is a music festival that many young people beg their parents to let them attend. We agree, they go, we worry, they survive!
PS: The photo is of Tully, my youngest on the day we took her home from hospital.