The path of least resistance!

This week having worked at one end of the spectrum with one of the greatest technology companies of our current time and at the other a niche, creative and curious SME - a question emerged. How often do we as individuals or organizations choose the path of least resistance at risk of limiting our ambitions, options and dreams?
As the CEO of any business, one of the most important aspects of being a leader is being a person that others want to follow. Every action you take daily, weekly, monthly during your career will determine whether people will one day want to follow you. Successful leaders are honest about the potential risks inherent in the chosen path. They communicate, not just the overall direction, but any information followers need to successfully and skillfully carry out their responsibilities.
Sometimes the tackling of a new direction, launch of next generation product, expansion to another continent or maybe confronting the fact that something just isn’t working and needs to be addressed can be difficult. All of these things will have a number of challenges and tactical strategies to address.
Whatever it is that you as an individual or an organization are pursuing, it really has to be compelling enough for you to keep up all the energies and resources to drive through the change.
I worked with client (also a CEO) recently who after a significant personal crisis in his life, had decided that a holiday / a few weeks off would be a good plan.
Now, the Caribbean, white beaches, a pleasant hotel, beautiful countryside, some sunshine, briefly came to mind and I then (knowing who I was dealing with?!) ventured the question ‘where’?
Despite the huge desire to do the ‘usual’ thing; Spain to play a bit of golf, Nevis even - nice golf course there - great sailing too - he said that these things were not inspiring him and what he really wanted to do was something really different to be true to himself.
After lots of debate, discussion and perhaps uncomfortable questioning, this CEO is going to Somalia!
Just about all of his mates and family said ‘Why can't you just find somewhere you can sit by the water with a drink with a paper umbrella in it?" Let’s face it - if you're looking for easy, Somalia probably isn’t the first destination on your list.

In spite of that occasional voice of dissent, he is delighted about this trip. Really excited and energized. The challenges are a part of the landscape – he knows that he’s going to encounter them in some fashion - but they're not defining the whole thing – which is the most important point. He is confident that, even if he doesn’t feel comfortable in a given circumstance, he can work his way through most of the problems that may arise. The key thing here is that if he wasn’t willing to risk those challenges, he would be cheating himself out of some amazing experiences.

No prizes for the parallel coming here!

Going to Somalia, establishing your company overseas, making that leap to global player - require jumping in and immersing yourself in something that will energize you ( and possibly terrify you at certain junctures) if you truly believe in it. Along the way, bumps in the road will be encountered (both literally and figuratively). Finding a path that lights you up in your career or personal life is energizing, but I can almost guarantee that it won't be trouble-free. There will be bumps in the road.

So the question is;
• What do you do with that knowledge?
• How does knowing that you're going to encounter obstacles shape your future?
• Can you be true to yourself and your company? live the values; growth, innovation, integrity - whatever they may be,
• Do you spend all your energy avoiding the bumps?
• Or do you commit to a fully enriched life with the knowledge that - even if it's occasionally uncomfortable along the way - you can ultimately sort out whatever challenges you encounter?
The world of opportunity is mind-bogglingly vast. But if you insist on getting to your destination by the path of least resistance, your options are limited.
Ps. since writing this piece - I have news from Somalia and all is well, it’s great in fact!
Until next week..
Kate Tojeiro is an Executive Performance Coach at www.the-x-fusion.co.uk