I consider myself a learner. I learn from my wife, mentors, friends and my children. Everyday is an opportunity to increase my knowledge and awareness. In this post, I would like to mention a few lessons learned on the Amazon.
SIMPLICITY
My time spent on the Amazon always reminds me of the importance of simplicity. I have noticed it seems to be human nature to complicate matters. As I experience the lifestyle of the Caboclos (traditional forest dwellers of Amerindian and Portuguese descent, are also dependent on the jungle for food, shelter, tools and medicines) I am amazed at their resourcefulness and ability to get much done with so little. It was Leonardo Da Vinci who said:
simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.
I find that simplicity bears great fruit. If you plant your dream in the soil of simplicity it will build a bridge to true vision.
A bridge from dreamer to visionary.
The way I understand it, everyone dreams. Some stop at this first stage because they are paralyzed into thinking the dream can’t actually come to fruition.
Or they wish instead of strategize.
Some attempt to make their dream a reality, but the details of this process become so complicated with clutter that they stop short. What clutter?
- finances
- fear
- doubt
- feelings of inadequacy
- under-qualifications
Ultimately, the clutter boils down to excuses. This will demolish the bridge from dreamer to visionary. It will require boldness, faith and the ability to listen to your heart when everything else says, “no way Jose!”. Move on, move forward, overcome and keep it simple.
ENJOYMENT
Life is supposed to be fun. It is a source of our strength. I have yet to find a leader with a great following who is angry all the time. I am in the process of building a team for our organization which is in the infancy stage. I know that if I want a team that will be loyal, productive, and last over the long haul– it must be enjoyable. Enjoyment is not just swinging in our hammocks all day and laughing at/with each other. Although there is a time and place for that, for sure!
Real enjoyment comes when we work together as a team on a critical problem (like the water crisis in the Amazon) and come up with ideas and solutions as a team. Enjoyment does not come by me planting ideas in their minds and creating robots or Yes men, but empowering them to own the vision. This brings great enjoyment. I set the tone for the team. I cannot delegate this out. I create an environment by:
- Demonstrating it is not just a job but a calling. How? By smiling and showing I enjoy my calling
- Laughing and letting my team know that I enjoy being with them
- Appreciating them with iTunes cards or other gifts
- Praising them for new ideas
This seems to keep us focused on winning. After all, winning is very enjoyable!
These are just a few of the lessons I’ve learned observing and reflecting while in the Amazon.
What have you learned from the people you lead?