Inspire Passion and Adventure

This is my fourth post in a series of ten. When I joined Slalom Build in September 2020, I decided that as part of my onboarding journey, I wanted to spend some time reflecting on the company’s Core Values, and to share my thoughts on each one on a monthly basis. The Core Values are:

• Do what is right, always.
• Drive connection and teamwork (December).
• Inspire passion and adventure.
• Take ownership. Get it done.
• Celebrate authenticity.
• Focus on outcomes.
• Fuel growth and innovation.
• Stay humble and curious (November).
• Build and shape a better future.
• Smile (October).

For January, I picked “Inspire passion and adventure”, a Core Value I find perfect to contemplate as a new year begins, goals are set, and plans are being made. A year from now, when I look back at 2021, I would love to be able to say that I did indeed inspire passion and adventure in the people I work with, and maybe in myself too.

To inspire passion and adventure I believe you need to convey passion and embrace adventure.

I am passionate about a lot of things, including but most certainly not limited to, diversity and inclusion, music, knitting, and tea. Being passionate about these topics means that I spend a lot of time thinking and talking about them, and engaging in activities relating to them. For better or worse, I suspect that my passion quickly becomes obvious whenever one of these topics comes up in conversation. When talking about the things I am passionate about I try to focus on the positive aspects since I want to inspire the same passion in others. I think it is very human and natural to want others to feel as strongly about something as we do.

I am also passionate about my work, and for me that passion translates into joy and excitement. I’d like to think that I convey that through a positive attitude, focusing on possibilities rather than obstacles. To me, passion is also caring enough about something to want to excel at it, and, to as large an extent as it is possible, master it. I genuinely enjoy my work, and I care deeply about doing it well. I approach my work with diligence and commitment, and I hope that is perceived as the deep passion it reflects. Whether it is sufficient to inspire passion in others, only time will tell.

Adventure means very different things to different people, and in different contexts. But from a work perspective, I think of embracing adventure as not being deterred by ambiguity and uncertainty, and being comfortable taking judiciously assessed risks without being reckless. Adventure means being biased toward saying “yes” rather than “no”. Adventure means being curious. Adventure awaits those who are enthusiastic about learning, and finding new solutions, rather than relying on known answers.

I think the opportunity for experiencing adventure, in whatever form, is essential to my happiness on both a personal and professional level. Sometimes that means trying a new ice cream flavour I have never even heard of before. Sometimes that means taking on a role or a project where there is no clear direction or answers. Regardless, the best adventures are the ones I get to go on with other people. I am grateful to have coworkers that let me join them on their adventures, and are willing to come along on mine.