The Lens of Leadership - Opus Driven (Passion) or Onus Driven (Pressure)

The word 'opus' isn't just for classical music. It's Latin for work and riches, the kind you hear about in 'operate' or 'opulence' or 'modus operandi'.

The word 'onus' refers to a responsibility or obligation and often viewed as a duty or a burden that someone must undertake or carry.

Good work isn't just about going through the motions or hitting numbers and making a buck.

It's about using your head, your hands, your heart and leaning into those gut-based hunches that will direct you one step at a time toward what you love to do, are meant to do and get paid to do!

Back in the day, craftsmen like carpenters and weavers, saw their work as a bit of a secret art. But when what you do becomes just a grind, we all know it loses its spark.

That's when people start to hate what they do.

If you are just grinding away you know it can empty you out, but the right kind of work fills you up because you're really using what you've got, what you love and what you're good at.

I see our lives as one big opus.

If you've seen 'Mr. Holland's Opus', you get it. It wasn't about the music. It was about Richard Dreyfus as Mr. Holland finding out his real joy was always right there with him. It wasn't the notes he played; it was what he could give to others through his passion.

In other words, it's not just about the sales you make, but the impact you have on others - your leadership, team, clients and greater community.

But there's another side and we've all been there, where we're hit by tough emotions or rough times we didn't expect and they all get in the way of loving what we do.

Think about one of those times for you.

• How'd you deal with it?
• How'd you get by?
• What tactics did you use to keep moving?
• How did you get past looking for outside fixes and dig deeper?

When your life looks like it is a mess, that's your cue to keep on going.

How you see your challenges can actually work for you, not against you.

As a leader it's crucial for you to figure out the stories you're telling yourself about what happens to you, the stories you assume about the people you meet or who are on your team, and the stories behind the words you hear or want to hear, yet aren't hearing.

All these contribute to driving you into a space that may not ultimately serve you or your team.

You might want a clear plan to get from where you are to where you want to be, or maybe you just need some real talk that you can connect with.

If so, who are you reaching out to?

These are tough times – the fear, the politics, the anger, the wars, and all the doubts swirling around so many, especially in your leadership role - having to lay off staff, hope like crazy the candidate you hire works out, inform clients of price increases or lack of stock (again!), risk attrition, keep yourself on the straight and narrow... and so many other messy moments you need to navigate - all the while looking like you're in control and enjoying what you do.

But I also know about that sweet spot where accepting the unknown, losing the need to be in control or be perfect, asking for help and leaning into uncertainty lifts you up to a whole new way of living and loving what you do.

And when you do that, so does everyone else.

Here's three prescriptions:

• Cultivate Passion and Vision: Have a clear vision and marry it with enthusiasm rather than compliance and obligation.
• Empower and Trust Your Team: Foster an environment where team members feel valued and trusted so they take ownership of their work.
• Be a Role Model: Handling obstacles with grace and optimism naturally cultivates an 'opus' driven environment, as opposed to one burdened by the 'onus' of stress and pressure.

Hang in there! Happy to help!

And here's to finding your opus!

Let me know your thoughts.

Stay Bold, Brave and Brilliant

Bernadette

Whenever you're ready, here are four services I offer:

1. Engage Me As Your Fractional Sales Meeting Facilitator: Revitalize and inject a new, dynamic energy into your sales meetings and have the team gain fresh go to market insights. Let's Go! ????????
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3. Discover Sales for Non-Salespeople: Not everyone who sells is a stereotypical salesperson yet the psychology behind professional selling skills are still necessary. Dive in now! ??
4. Hire a Keynote Speaker - when you need the motivation and inspiration for your members or your team, yet you want relevant prescriptions on how to embrace uncertainty to achieve those results, then I'm your speaker. Let's talk! ??