Leading through the Dark Days

It is a bleary mid-winter day.

Quite apart from the cold, the weather keeps changing.

The famous New Zealand band Crowded House captured it beautifully - "Four seasons in one day!"

The weak sun makes its presence known, albeit briefly, then a strong gust of Squally winds - almost pushing my umbrella to the max, followed by light drizzle.

Hat, gloves and shower-proof raincoat, I decided to brave the elements for my morning coffee at the local.

On the way, I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful bright Camellias in abundance.   The crimson brightening up an otherwise grey vista.

And then just as magically, the rainbow appeared.

I’m reminded that even the darker days of winter has its own magic.

I am left thinking about the ever changing landscape of our work and business life.

Leader or not, if your organisation and business is going through change, what is the magic that is still there?

What’s is still working well which needs acknowledging?

The Camellias and rainbow can be the people in the team who are holding out and doing a great job despite all the surrounding volatility and uncertainty.

As their leader, do remember to acknowledge and tell them of the good work they are doing and how it is making a difference to the bigger picture.

I’m reminded of my mum. A special lady with endless compassion for whatever was.

She embraced it all.

In the words of Anne Bradstreet, “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." 

As I sit here with my piping hot coffee, and newspaper (Yes - I am still a fan of the paper version!) it is absolutely peltering down now.  I will just have to sit the rain out..... until the rainbow appears again!