What’s Your Take On This?

When we treat ourselves like machines, the end result is always mediocrity.
– Todd Henry, The Accidental Creative and Die Empty

I was lucky to meet Todd Henry, the two-time author, this week.  He was speaking at a colleague’s workplace and I joined the fun.  And wow, was it fun!

Todd walked us through the path to being Prolific, Brilliant AND Healthy!  In other words, and I quote: How to “turn your thoughts into value each day.” It was a chock-full-of-content, confidential presentation that was relevant to traditional creatives and the rest of the world as well.

At one point he humbly said that he wasn’t sharing rocket science stuff, but we don’t read his books and go to hear him speak to learn rocket science.  We go to hear his take on the challenges we all face on a daily basis in the work world.  And we hope that his take will enlighten us in some way to better manage our careers.

I approached him at the break to ask for guidance on a challenge I’m facing; he offered helpful insights from his own experience and gave me suggestions for my situation. He proposed that I email him and that we stay in touch so he could help if possible. I most certainly will.  It was exciting to connect with someone who is many steps ahead of me and who understands my intention to help others through my work in Compassionate Management.

Everyone needs a mentor, role model or coach.  Business coaches have coaches, professional athletes have individual coaches, even doctors now have coaches.  We all seek that person whom we trust and who is a few or many steps ahead of us to show us that “it’s” possible, and to help us on our journey.

I’m blessed to coach mid to senior level professionals in so many areas: presentation skills, how to move up the ladder, project management skills, general management skills, how to make your job palatable and maybe even fun, the list goes on.  The joy I experience in helping them is matched by the joy I feel when my coach helps me see something from a new perspective.

What Todd Henry gave me today was priceless.  He saw me, he acknowledged the challenge facing me and he encouraged me with realistic and useful guidance.  He inspired me to persevere in the face of internal critics and external obstacles.

I kind of feel like I cheated on my business coach, but she’s cool with that.

 

p.s. If you haven’t read Todd Henry’s books, The Accidental Creative or Die Empty, run to your kindle or bookstore and get them.  They speak to everyone who has ever worked.

p.p.s. The colleague I mentioned above is Andy Epstein, the author of The Corporate Creative.  I value his insights and generosity greatly.  Thank you Andy!

p.p.p.s. And to my new readers, welcome!  I’m so glad you’ve joined the party.