“May you have the vision to recognize the door that is yours, courage to open it, and wisdom to walk through.” ~ Pat L. Richardson
Vision. Courage. Wisdom.
I can sum up the most transformational times in my life with one or all of those words. I suspect you can too.
During times of great change and growth in our lives we rely on our clear vision to direct us, and our courage to persevere when change becomes scary and uncomfortable, as it often does. And while you might think it’s courage that also empowers us to finally “walk through” the door, it’s actually the wisdom that comes from our inner knowing that it’s not just our door, it’s our journey. Sometimes we just know we are meant to walk through that door.
On Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 I walked through a new door with my friend Steve Woodruff as we launched Leadership Chat.
I had approached Steve with the idea of creating Leadership Chat about a month prior, when my Visionary Leadership Blog was still in its infancy and I was embarking on a new leg of my career journey. I had run the idea by one man who has endearingly encouraged me in all my online endeavors during the last few years, including the creation of my blog, my friend Mack Collier. I told Mack I thought Steve and I would make a great team, and he absolutely agreed.
Steve was not only willing to try something new, he was willing to commit to spending an hour every single Tuesday night working with me…which qualifies him as legally insane! Getting to know Steve and collaborating closely with him has been a true blessing, one I will be forever grateful for. He is one of the greatest and most remarkable gentlemen I have the pleasure to know.
I can’t thank Mack enough for the encouragement and Steve enough for walking through the “Leadership Chat door” with me those many months ago, and for the vision, courage and wisdom he has shared with me during this entire experience. I know as we both walk out this door, we will be energized by the new paths we’ve each found and are truly passionate about. Of course, I am hopeful we’ll find new ways to collaborate in the future!
The Power of Letting Go; the Disempowerment of Attachment
I wrote a few weeks ago about the true power in knowing when it’s time to let something go – like Leadership Chat, which has been so important to me, and the power of doing so with purpose. I was reminded of this message a few days ago in a letter my new business partner wrote for our team about happiness. The letter reminded me that in virtually every spiritual philosophy attachment is synonymous with suffering, but happiness without reason is the ultimate freedom. You can let go of whatever it is you are attached to and still make a choice to be happy.
For me, it’s very easy to become attached – to people, to experiences, to the success of certain initiatives and desired outcomes. What the letter went on to say that I found so impactful was:
“If we attach ourselves and cling on to relationships in fear of losing them, or hold onto money with fear of loss or lack, if we lose sight of faith when we Know we have the power within to change it all, we not only risk being imprisoned by deception, we will always feel apprehensive and live in the shadows of fear.”
But we do have a choice. To acknowledge our attachment, release it, and choose happiness. To, “Ask if you loved and appreciated those moments with that someone or that something. If yes, bank it into your Happy Bank, if not, choose to change that next time.”
I absolutely loved every moment I was able to spend working on Leadership Chat and co-leading the chat each week. It has been an honor and privilege to meet and share insights with so many brilliant leaders and guest hosts from around the world. We talked about topics as far-reaching as vulnerability and courage, to the differences between how men and women lead. Every week was unique, and every week I was enriched by the presence of amazing people and the wisdom that was shared.
So, although I have become wildly attached to Leadership Chat, I know in my heart it is time to let it go. It is time to appreciate all the moments whilst I walk through the door and onto new paths.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those of you who were there with us from the very beginning, those who just found us last week, and all those in between. Everyone contributed in their own way and added to the richness of the Leadership Chat Community! I mean it when I say you have each touched my life and made it better. I am forever grateful.
Please join me and Steve on Tuesday evening, May 29th at 8:00 pm Eastern Time on Twitter as we host our Grand Finale – the farewell edition of Leadership Chat. It won’t be the same without you – we hope to see you there!
~
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18 Response Comments
” happiness without reason is the ultimate freedom”
I love this quote! Lisa this is one of your best posts ever, and it’s obviously because you are writing it from the heart. As you know, #LeadershipChat has long been one of my favorite chats and although I didn’t always participate, I was usually lurking 😉
Thank you, my friend, for having the courage and wisdom to create something amazing for all of us, along with Steve. I will see you tomorrow night for the final #LeadershipChat!
I’m so glad you’ll be there…it just wouldn’t be the same without you! Thank you for your encouragement and genuine support – it has meant the world to me, Mack!
What a pleasure it has been, Lisa, collaborating with you on Leadership Chat. You are a real gem and, most importantly, a true friend.
I am truly blessed to have you in my life, my friend! I can’t wait to see where our new paths take us…
I wish you the *very best* in your new venture. Your gracious post today helps me walk through that door of opportunity. *Thank you* for reminding us of vision, courage and wisdom.
You’re welcome and thank you for taking the time to let me know how it’s helped you. That means the world to me! Wishing you great vision, courage and wisdom.
Love your post! Reminds me of a Patrick Overton quote:
“When you come to the edge of all light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly!”
Wishing you [as always] all the best.
I love that, David – it’s beautiful. What a gift… Thank you for sharing it here. And I miss you, my friend! Hope you’ll join us tomorrow night!
Great quote David, I will save it.
Tim Krupa
Lisa
I just completed reading The Introvert’s Guide to Success and am now a big fan. I give the ebook 5*s and highly recommend it to the shy, bashful, and/or introverted or to the leader who wishes to better understand the shy, bashful or introverted in order to build a better team. I am keenly interested in leadership and was looking forward to joining your weekly Leadership Chat.
While I am disappointed that I will be joining your final “Chat,” I wish you well as you move forward on your journey on this rock. I do look forward to following your blog.
Tim Krupa
PS As a quote collector, thank you for the great lead quote in this blog. I will use it.
Thank you, Tim – that means the world to me! And I appreciate all the kind words and your encouragement. I’d be honored if you would write a review on Amazon and share your experience with potential readers. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to seeing you this evening!
Hi Lisa
Zig Ziglar says, “You are the person you were meant to be except for the books you read and the people you meet.” Your book will help me build better teams and thus become a better leader, so I will be happy to post a book review. Please watch for it in the next day or two.
At this stage in my career, part of what I am about is paying it forward. I will be sharing your book with others who are line managing in their careers.
Tim Krupa
Lisa:
When I read a couple of weeks ago that Leadership Chat was reaching its end, I was reminded of when I left my employer of 30 years. I sent an e-mail to many of my long-time (and some short-time) colleagues which contained these words from Ellen Goodman of the Boston Globe:
“There’s a trick to the “Graceful Exit.” It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, a relationship is over – and let it go. It means leaving what’s over without denying its validity or its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving on, rather than out.”
In addition to you and Steve, I have enjoyed “conversing” with a whole new group of people on Tuesday nights that I would not normally have connected with – and for that I am thankful.
Enjoy your new journey. Tuesday nights will be empty for a while.
John Lake
You know this is a beautiful post. I remember when I was new to Twitter and came across leadershipchat. I was instantly attracted to the conversation. I did not always find it easy accepting the differences in culture, insight and world views. At times I found it frustrating.. But realized it was about me and not other people. It was about owning my feelings and growing as leader and accepting and learning in the process. Those experiences made me a better leader and human being.
I also believe I destined to meet both of you and connect. I was welcomed into the community for a reason to grow and learn, accept differences and remain positive and engaged. I backed off from Leadershipchat for a while and started to participate in Leadfromwithin more. This was nothing to do with Leadershipchat it just felt right at the time because of my focus on leadership from a spiritual angle
But I always kept one eye on Leadershipchat because I felt a real affinity to the community and contributors. I learned a lot about myself and others. At times I felt disloyal because I could not participate in both chats they were on at the same time. And in the early hours of the morning for me. However I know I was always welcomed and respected by you Liss and Steve.
I have great respect for the both of you. Your knowledge, wisdom and insight is great. I was sad to hear Leadershipchat was ending. Like you Lisa I have difficulty letting go but your post frames perfectly my sentiment.
I remember the comments you left on my blog and your openess and authenticity. I was grateful and humbled. You and Steve are a true leaders with smarts to spare.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart .It has been an honor to share this journey with you both.
Namaste.
This post really attracted my attention as I love to open new doors. Beautifully written. #leadership chat was the first tweet chat I ever participated in. Drawn to this topic, without enough time to participate on a regular basis, I learned a lot about myself and how to make the right choices in developing my business venture over the past 10 months (while holding down my regular tech marketing job). And Lisa, I appreciated your response when I asked you for guidance when I first launched my blog. Thank-you so much. Curious and inspired by your new door, I know we will continue to see genuine and innovative efforts from you in the future.
Marti, I can’t tell you how much this beautiful comment means to me! So sorry that I am just now seeing it – these new doors and paths are keeping me incredibly busy! I love that we had the chance to meet at SOBCon and will always be happy to help you in any way possible. Wishing you all the best of success in your business venture and in life!
Hi Lisa,
Your post is touching & powerful at the same time.I also liked the “Happy Bank” concept.
I can very well appreciate how you feel to let go of your wild attachment to your Leadership Chat. Please accept my best wishes for your happiness as you walk through the door on to your new paths.
It is always my pleasure & privilege to keep in touch with you Lisa. You are one of the finest persons I have ever come across through the social media. Thank you
Thank you so much, Suresh!