Remember Tradition While Creating the Future

How traditional is your team?

Has your team carried forward patterns from the past that stabilize and simplify how things get done? Does your team honor the accomplishments of the past while working toward the future?

I remember working in an office with no computers, no fax machines, and no expectation of 24/7 service. It's not that I miss those days, but I do remember them. I also remember loyalty without the need for loyalty programs, and a work ethic that didn't need to be taught because people brought it with them.

Things change. For the most part I believe that the general state of the world is improving. We develop new technologies. We build new configurations of teams. We learn from diversity and experience. We improve.

As leaders we are responsible for co-creating the future. How we lead, which projects we support, and the people we inspire determine what tomorrow will look like. That is an awesome and wonderful responsibility.

We can do that enthusiastically and still honor the achievements of the past. Some of your people may be waiting to be remembered for accomplishments you've long forgotten. Would you be here today without those accomplishments?

Some noble traditions have been forgotten or ignored that might help your team function faster and more effectively. What are those traditions? How can you find them? How can you honor the past without necessarily repeating it?

Centered leaders remember the old traditions with respect while co-creating new ones with love.

Try that. See how your people respond.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Front Range Leadership | Fast, affordable leadership training

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