Snowflakes in Summer?
Like snowflakes, the human pattern is never cast twice."-Alice Childress.
What the heck? Snowflakes in July? Yes. We often use snowflake metaphors to describe our individual uniqueness. Not one snowflake is like any other snowflake. We are each uniquely brilliant.
I recently had the opportunity to take part in a magical on-line retreat. The topic... embodying abundance. One of the powerful takeaways from this experience was around celebrating our one- of- oneness.
In today’s blog, I am introducing you to this concept as it applies to leadership. Next week, I’ll share how celebrating your uniqueness is a powerful leadership tool.
When we understand that we are one of a kind in the entire universe…we can reconsider how we lead in our own lives. And lead others. It also allows for courageous thinking about our higher purpose. The work we need to do to fulfill our greatest good.
I’ve been working on the concept of Unique Brilliance in a business coaching program that I take part in. It’s been a powerful game changer for me.
For the first few years of being a solopreneur, I tried doing it all. You know what they say about being a business owner…you have to do it all. You are the accountant, marketing team, scheduler, program manager, chief cook and bottle-washer.
It’s exhausting. Doing it all creates a false narrative in so many aspects of our lives. I remember being a single, working mom and feeling that I had to do it all. As a nonprofit leader, I often felt that doing it all gave me control of the outcomes. That pressure of doing it all gets in the way of doing our best work.
I can already hear the pushback on this idea. I get it...we all have limiting beliefs about work and success Here are a few examples of that inner chatter:
Work is hard. That’s why they call it work.
I don’t have enough financial resources to give away any part of my work.
I am a perfectionist. I can’t control what I don’t do myself.
My friend and mentor, Alexandra Taketa, says that “frustration is normalized suffering.” I love this expression. It encapsulates how so many of us push against ease and grace instead of moving towards it.
Here’s a few questions to consider…
What if we could focus on our areas of unique brilliance?
What if each of us could truly bring our best stuff to the world on a regular basis?
What would it feel like to let go of what we hate doing?
How would we lead differently from a place of our unique gifts?
It’s a hard story to free yourself from until you embrace your inner snowflakeness.
I encourage you to consider both your limiting beliefs AND how living in your "snowlakeness" might serve you as a leader. If you are totally stumped on what makes you unique, that’s a brand new opportunity for growth for you to explore.
Thinking Good is all about reframing your leadership mindset. Are you ready to unlock your brilliance?
