Dropping the Ball

It happens to everyone from time to time, both in personal and professional life, but it's much more noticeable when you're running your own small business (and that personal and professional life are so tightly intertwined).

Some people will know that over the past few months I've been involved in a house move (it's still ongoing, due to solicitors being solicitors, and we're currently in temporary accommodation limbo while we wait for the two ends of the chain to get themselves sorted). I've heard it said that a house move is one of the most stressful things you can do, and I wouldn't dispute that.

All that to say that sometimes we all drop things, deliberately or otherwise. In this case I've fumbled some things for clients, as well as personally, because I feel like I'm running on quicksand.

It's inevitable, we can't keep things in the air all the time - like this newsletter (I had every intention of continuing with the series on building our governance framework, and will do eventually, but that's a ball I've decided to deliberately put down for now). What's important is about how we handle it.

There are two approaches - denial, or ownership.

Denial often seems a more popular approach, especially when you look at the wider world. Blame the intern. Blame the client. Blame the supplier. Blame anyone but yourself. It goes on constantly, and no one likes admitting fault.

I've tried to take a different approach with the balls I've dropped, especially the ones dropped accidentally. I've managed to keep a surprising number in the air, but some just had to go.

I've held my hands up, said that I'm sorry that I let people down. I've said that I will endeavour to do better and given the steps that I'll be taking to do so. Yes, I have explained the circumstances because I think they're relevant to when I'll be able to properly pick up balls again and get them moving in the air.

And, for anyone who prefers the denial approach, I'll tell you the results.

Everyone has understood. People have offered support, sympathy, and assistance. Some of the balls I've handed off to other people who I know will take care of them. Some have been left to sit on the ground because the people involved are fine with easing up for a while. Some have just been dropped completely for now, maybe to be picked up at a later date, because they weren't urgent.

Not one has been angry, or hurt, or disappointed. No one has stormed off and taken their ball home. I think that's an important lesson.