CCE - Center for Coaching Excellence

by Rick Raiford

As we near launch day for Conversational Leadership, I’ve found myself asking those questions, like we all do in the beginning: “Are we ready?”, “Do we have everything we need?”, “Is there something we’re not thinking about?”, “Is anyone going to hire us?”

Something about the way we were created makes it difficult for us to take a step of faith by getting out of the boat. We drift towards the probability that we will sink, rather than focusing on the possibility that we won’t.

If I get out of the boat, it is going to be cold and wet, my heart rate will increase, and I just might break out in a sweat. I know that there is a part of me deep down that wants to get out of the boat, but right now, in this moment, maybe I should just play it safe. Maybe I should stay in the boat today and try this again another day. I don’t want to fail.

For every leader in the world there is a gap between your reality and your vision…in life and in business. The tension in that space can only be released in one of three ways.

1. Our reality remains unchanged, and over time the vision moves toward our reality. Sadly, this happens most often. The dream of what could be begins to fade, and we begin to accept our current reality as our ultimate destination.
2. Our reality and our vision meet somewhere in the middle. We ultimately make progress towards our vision, but along the way, our vision is scaled back, and the two collide somewhere short of the original vision.
3. Our reality is transformed into our original vision.

We all want our story to be option number three! Why don’t more people experience option number three? I believe it is because the dreams and visions placed inside of us are more than we can accomplish on our own. We need something beyond ourselves to realize that dream or vision. We need other people who will walk beside us, encourage us, keep the vision in front of us, and hold us accountable. Being effective at those things is not natural; it is an acquired skill.

Thankfully, I have people in my life that do this for me. Do you have people who are able to do that for you and for others who share your dreams? That is exactly what Conversational Leadership teaches people to do. It teaches people how to propel others toward their vision.

Ultimately, I don’t know the answers to those questions circling in my head, but I do know that everyone faces similar doubts and uncertainties. If the questions are that universal, then at least I can stand firm, knowing I am in good company. And that Conversational Leadership is critically needed to support courageous movement for every leader wanting to get out of the boat. I’ll meet you on the water!