Whether or not you have ever paddled a canoe in whitewater, I guarantee you know what it feels like when conditions change and the route you thought you were going to take is no longer an option. You are almost certainly experiencing that feeling right now. In rapids, you eddy out (get safely either to shore or in an eddy where you won’t be swept downstream) and assess. You decide if it’s still safe enough to paddle; you choose a different route, as best you can, which often takes a little imagination; and you carry on downstream. Whitewater is excellent practice for being in the moment, and letting go of ‘how you’ve always done it.’
And these days, ‘business as usual’ just isn’t usual, with whitewater analogies everywhere you look. Given the conditions, we need to Wild our way through change and toward fresh approaches — taking stock of how we show up individually, as a team, and as an organization; and getting curious and open to other possibilities.
What does Wild look like as we paddle rivers that are at flood stage levels of change?
Here are a few ways to jump start your Wild side at work:
*Drop some of the polish
Encourage rough drafts of ideas and invite input without critique. Be long on learning and easy on mistakes in order to spark creativity and innovation.
*Challenge the default
Get curious about the why behind how we’ve always done it; ask questions, explore what else might be possible.
*Show more of who you are
Wild means having the courage to bring the gift of all of who you are to all of what you do. Bring more of your personality into your interactions, people will be glad for your candor and the opportunity for real connection.
*Be honest about what’s happening
Honesty and trust go a long way in helping teams get Wildly creative about whatever obstacles they are facing.
*Eddy out, take breaks
Small breaks throughout the day help everyone stay focused and present. No one can remain productive and creative without some moments of reflection.
Doing things differently can be invigorating and at times tiring. Showing up Wild relieves the strain of leaving parts of yourself at the door when you start your workday. In fact, ‘taming’ the Wild side of work may well be the thing that is holding you and your organization back.
With your life jacket zipped and sunscreen applied, trust your Wild side in these rapids. It will be your true north.
