By Linda Schnabel, PCC, CRS, CIS, JCTC
I penned my last article for Career Talk on March 24, 2006 and provided you with a personal narrative – one filled with details that likely fit the stories of a multitude of families across the nation who find themselves locked in a gripping battle against cancer. Although our story is special to us and those who love us, we represent merely another statistic that begs for answers and cures. To me personally, however, this journey has presented an amazing growth opportunity which far surpasses any leadership course in which I have had the privilege to participate. Why, you may ask? Is there not an easier, less painful pathway to growth? Yes, and maybe not. Allow me to explain.
Last summer on a flight to Atlanta, I was thumbing through a magazine when a quotation caught my eye. It said, “When you come to the edge of all you’ve known and are about to step into darkness, one of two things will happen. Either there will be something solid for you to stand on or you will be taught to fly.” This, dear readers, has been my experience.
After my husband’s diagnosis, and once the inevitable panic and disbelief subsided slightly, I began to edge my way along this rather tenuous path that is anything but straight. As primary caregiver, privileged opportunities to demonstrate personal mastery began to show up like signposts along the way. Again and again, a call would arise to “step into darkness” — such as when new symptoms developed or new protocols were prescribed or new emotions were evoked with thoughts of “what if” that stirred our imaginings about the future. It’s not always easy to take these steps, but I’m learning, along with my dear partner, that a solid foothold seems to materialize when we least believe it will. Surprisingly, welcome leadership skills emerge as we journey further down this tricky pathway.
Leadership gurus tell us that leaders are courageous; they are undaunted by what is unknown or unclear. Although they have a succinct vision of their desired outcome, they have but a sketchy idea of the tactics required to reach their particular “summit of success.” Yet, they climb to new heights, picking their way through frightening terrain rather than opting for the path of least resistance. Through this treacherous climb, leaders acquire the kind of wisdom that comes from walking through symbolic fire.
The “gift of crisis” is not always easy to identify and often scoops us up before we have time to digest the gravity of our situation. And then before we know it we are thrust into “leadership dojo.”
I learned recently that dojo is a term used in Japanese martial arts that refers to a formal training hall. It is typically considered the official gathering place for students of martial arts to conduct training, examinations and other related encounters. It is where the student sweats – really wrestles against his enemy. It is a place where what was once noticeable and simple to understand becomes like the proverbial “tip of the iceberg.” Oh yes, beneath the surface, are profundities that those unfamiliar with “dojo” have not envisioned.
For me, it has been like the dojo that comes from climbing a summit. I haven’t reached the top yet, but I know that once I do, I will want to descend again. Then, when I am in the lower regions, back to what I’ve always taken for granted as a normal way of life, I will have discovered an art about conducting myself with leadership that has been derived by the unmatched memory of what I saw from the higher place of “dojo.”
“Sweating it out” in dojo has allowed me to realize the limits of my potential and has given me strength that I would never have thought possible. I know now that I can “do hard” and by this I mean, the hard path, such as dealing with life and death, can be like personal refinement. This has been the wake-up call that has underlined the unmistakable announcement that I am not untouchable – in fact, that none of us are. Whatever can touch another human being can, in fact, touch me.
Cancer, as ugly as it sounds and is, has illuminated a beacon for us and made available a unique wisdom that can only come from grass roots intuition. It is all about earthy knowing as opposed to cerebral understanding. It is something I hope you never encounter but if you do, you will be initiated into the leadership class of dojo – a special class that teaches you leadership lessons by the sweat of your brow. It does not, in any way, endow elitism upon its students. No, in fact, it makes them culpable to demonstrate steel-like strength and a servant’s heart. It is initiation into serious accountability for those around us. Those who have had the privilege of leadership dojo are expected to give more than they take, love more than they are loved, and teach through humble example.
Important Footnote:
Career Professionals of Canada is dedicated to leadership development. The Organizational Learning and Development Initiative is focused upon this important competency and, as we move closer to fall, you will see all kinds of new activities that will assist members to accelerate their leadership. Please stay tuned for some very exciting developments!
Linda Schnabel is a Professional Certified Coach and Certification Advisor for Career Professionals of Canada. For more information, visit www.careerworks.biz.