Kia ora 2023: New year, new challenges, same passion

At the end of 2019 I wrote my first LinkedIn article, and set myself the goal of being more of a content creator, and not just a content consumer. It didn't quite happen, life got a bit in the way, we had some uncertain times, and that is okay. So now I say "Kia Ora 2023, we made it". With all the reflections that go on with this season (the new year, new me moment) I wanted to pick up where I left off, with some reflections, but also some ambitions for the road ahead.

Three reflections from 2022:

Disruption - it's all around us and constant

As humans we are often uncomfortable with change and disruption - especially when we are not in control of it. Just take the pandemic for example, how many times did we find ourselves thinking "post COVID, things will get back to normal", only for that normal not to be the same or for the disruption to morph into something new. We all need to sometimes sit down and look the old model of circles of control, influence and concern. It is so easy to want to control everything, when sometimes we just need to focus on the two things we can control: our actions and our attitude, and therefore our reaction. This is easier said than done, but during the pandemic when I had found myself trying to control everything (also, real talk for a moment, everyone) around me, and wondering why I was exhausted, stressed and burnt out. The reality was I was never going to bend my situation to the perfect model I wanted, to bring me my idea happiness. After some honest self-reflection I made a call that I needed the change, and put myself out there and found a new opportunity to take on, in a new city, and the great thing was - the world didn't fall apart. Like most disruptions, things worked out. While there were still challenges, I had changed my thoughts, and therefore my reaction to them, resulting in less anxiety, pressure and a new exciting opportunity.

It's all good being clueless sometimes

After 11 years at my last organisation I knew exactly how the organisation worked. The rhythm of the company, the ebbs and flows of the work and the people politics. When I started in my new role, I knew hardly anything. Going back to the basics of remembering names, where things were, how to get around a new city was something I hadn't felt for a long time. Coming in as a leader of the organisation I felt a pressure to be this all knowing oracle of wisdom and exude confidence. It was around week two that I realised you don’t have to crush all your goals or influence all your colleagues straight off the bat. It was okay being a tad clueless, putting up my hand and asking questions, or just admitting I was lost (either physically on campus or in the conversation). I learnt at times to just be a sponge, be present and take everything in. Your 12 months in a new job is exhausting. You probably won’t produce much, or the best quality and that’s okay! Just go with the flow, be yourself and celebrate your new opportunity and those ahead.

Bring people on the journey with you

Organisations are made up of people, not just plans and tools and we need to remind ourselves they are our biggest asset. As a new leader coming in, it is often easy to fall into this pattern of wanting to bring in your strategy, your standards and your methodology. One of the biggest things we forget as leaders setting out these new initiatives is bringing people along with us on the journey. Just because in your head, everyone has tickets to the train, doesn't mean they all know where they are going, why they are on-board, or in fact all leaving from the same station. It is important to communicate consistently and clearly the simple: who, what, why and how. Once you do this, your colleagues will still surprise you, support you, challenge you and sometimes disappoint you. This doesn't mean you have bad people around you or you’re in a bad work environment. It means you’re in a human work environment, and you need to keep the communication open to keep everyone on the journey with you.

Three ambitions for 2023:

In thinking about the year ahead I have thought about what I am ambitious about, rather than set goals. What's the difference? Both refer to achieving something but to me 'Goals' feels like an ultimate purpose or defined outcome, whereas 'ambition' feels more like a passion and desire to strive towards something in a more fluid sense. My three ambitions for 2023 are are really simple, they are to keep learning, keep being challenged and keep having fun.

Keep learning

This seems easy, I am an active rester, I do free online coursera courses during my downtime, I read, I travel and love getting stuck down a google vortex. However, for 2023 I want to challenge myself to keep learning in new methods and new areas. Maybe it will be signing up for a Company directors course, or doing a language immersion programme. What ever it is, as long as it keeps my mind engaged I will be happy. After all the old whakataukī is "Whaowhia te kete mātauranga"- Fill the basket of knowledge.

Keep being challenged

Boredom, it can be a killer, and in 2023 I want to continue to be challenged. This might be launching a new project, or simply changing my daily routine. As long as I am not sitting complacent I will be happy.

Keep having fun

I can be pretty serious, and so for me something to work on is continuing to have fun in all aspects of life. Just because it is work, doesn't mean I need to check in that part of me that likes a laugh. Remembering to stop, celebrate and connect are going to be important this coming year, while I remind myself that while I do need downtime to recharge, I equally get energy from being around others in a positive way, and serious work Jacob shouldn't stop that.

2022 was a crazy, whirlwind year, but aren't they all a little like that? I am sure in 12 months time I will be thinking the same things and while I hope to come back with new and different lessons, I hope my passions for continuing to work with people, keep learning, keep being challenged and keep having fun are only enhanced, and not diminished.

Mauri tū, mauri ora