What is different about the way we, Enablers, work

In a recent exchange, one of our Partners, Don Whyte shared an extract of a newly published book, “The Upside of Disruption”, from a British Futurist, Terence Mauri. The central idea of the book is that the upside of Disruption is “learning, growth, and reimagining the ‘always-done’ ways that have become obsolete … because we always overestimate the risk of trying something new and underestimate the risk of standing still’. This is what triggered us, at the Enablers Network, to question and challenge our winning formula, over the past 18 months.

Mauri quotes Richard Feynman, an expert in Quantum Physics, “knowledge is having the right answers. Intelligence is asking the right questions. Wisdom is knowing when to ask the right questions”? and suggests questions sharpen two underutilised skill sets: courage and humility.

He adds: “leaders are not being trained in leadership. It’s seen as more of an art and instinct than a repeatable set of mindsets, skills, and practices. That’s a problem because it leaves employees and their managers stuck in fear, doubt, and uncertainty; they’re not trained in courage and human skills (seeing, feeling, being and listening to learn). They’re only trained in “knowing.” This is what we mean, when advising our clients to carefully balance Logos (knowing), Ethos (behaving) and Pathos (feeling).

“This resonated with me”, Don added. “We’ve been wrestling with what make Enablers unique, in order to define our positioning. While I don’t have a revised positioning statement yet, I now feel the very unique quality that Enablers bring is our humanity – our love for our fellow man, our desire to make their lives, and especially their working lives, more productive and more meaningful – and through that, more effective for our clients. Our diversity, ?our knowledge, our processes, tools, and positive mindset are simply enablers for this – the ingredients rather than the cake. Our humanity is, for me, our “wow!”

I was convinced by the simplicity, evidence and impact of Don’s reflection and, yes, that is how I also see our future stand to be. I assume that almost everyone of you will have seen this highlight of the recent Paris Olympics 2024: We enter the final of the feminine Beach Volley tournament, opposing Brazil to Canada.? A rather unusual event happens in the middle of the game, two, then four of the players are involved into a rather confrontational exchange of views… The poor assistant referee (a man) seems completely lost and doesn’t know how to stop this. When, finally he manages to impose some kind of truce, the tension is still very palpable. And, suddenly, as the game is about to start again, the D.J. takes a personal initiative, an individual risk, by interrupting the game that was about to resume and plays John Lennon’s Hymn to peace and brotherhood, “Imagine”…

See how these wonderful professional athletes react and how the public supports them too (Sorry for the French comment but this is the best version I found on Youtube).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij7wff5AVyg&t=16s

This is what Don Whyte is talking about: The DJ masters the technique and has the right tools at his/her disposal. They probably have also a clear process they are ordered to follow. But that wouldn’t have made this (excellent) game top of the news throughout the World. That DJ had conviction, values. They were clear on the Purpose of their presence, which they definitely saw as far more than playing music during the breaks. They obviously were clear about, believed and lived the Olympic ideal. Finally, the DJ, clearly read the emotions, from the players and the public, and knew how to respond to them.

This Humanity, supported by Courage, Personal Risk Taking and Bridge Building is how I see us, Enablers, positioning ourselves. Thinking, behaving and feeling like this discrete DJ, who, so far remains nameless, is how I see us positioning ourselves in supporting our clients. Enjoy your Bridge Building Journey…