"If You Get The Message, Hang Up The Phone."
Chris McCann
Senior Director of Sales West NAM and LATAM @ Contentstack | Inspiring Growth, Empowering Change | MACH Alliance Growth Council | Psychedelic Therapeutics & Integration Practitioner | Neurodiversity ERG Leader & Advocate
Let's unpack a nugget of wisdom from the incomparable Alan Watts: "If you get the message, hang up the phone." This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a potent tool for transformative leadership, one you can't afford to ignore.
Acknowledge the Pressing Need to Act
Stop waiting for some mythical moment of 'ultimate understanding' to act. You've found a key insight, so why are you still tangled in this endless web of searching? The real urgency is in seizing that moment of truth and detaching yourself from the constant cycle of questioning.
Quit the Cycle of Eternal Seeking
Enough with the relentless pursuit for the next piece of wisdom. Our culture programs us to be on a never-ending quest for more knowledge, for some elusive 'higher truth.' It's a tiring, never-ending loop. What's needed isn't another revelation; it's immediate, decisive action.
Expose Procrastination for What It Is
Let's face it: your endless search for wisdom can become an elaborate form of procrastination. It serves as your escape hatch, your safe zone from taking genuine steps forward. Recognize when you're at this juncture. You've received your message; now it's time to disconnect.
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Harness the Potential of the Present
As a leader, you're more than just a gatherer of insights; you're an agent for transformation. Newly acquired wisdom is worthless unless activated. Your canvas is the 'here and now'—use your fresh understandings to instigate change, both within yourself and in others.
Leaders, Time to Disconnect
Once you've captured the essence of the message, don't hover in anticipation of more insights. Alan Watts made it clear: "If you get the message, hang up the phone." The wisdom you've gleaned isn't just idle talk; it's a catalyst for transformation—time to unplug and get moving.
The Final Word
Here's my go-to approach: the instant the message comes through, I cut the line. I transition from being a seeker to an executor. I convert the wisdom I've gained into actionable steps, spurring both personal and organizational transformation.
So, leaders, let's shatter the illusion that continuous seeking is the way to enlightenment. True leaders, the ones who make a lasting impact, are those who turn their insights into real-world actions. It's time to move. his is your moment, your pivot, your game-changer. Take the call. Then have the guts to hang up and act.
Dive deep. Take risks. Act.