… as I looked in the right-side mirror to change lanes, it was vibrating… then it cracked… then blew off! Just like that, I could not see anything down the right side of the car … a whole lane, gone JUST as I was moving into … what? I drove the rest of the way leaning and guessing, hoping nothing was there…
What is your blind spot as a leader? A person, a peer, your boss, a whole side of your team, you have quietly stopped seeing. What are they actually doing versus what you thought was happening?
Sound travels around corners, even from behind you. In the fall of 1986, an amazing voice came out of the showers in the dorm at the University of South Carolina. Adding 2 other players, 8 years later that band released their first album, Cracked Rear View in 1994. It had the song Hold My Hand – the story of reaching out to someone hurting, across divisions, through the darkness that others are experiencing – without waiting to be asked. It was the song you could not get away from. It did a strange thing … it made a stadium full of strangers feel seen.
Before you can hold a hand out, you have to see the person is there. Make seeing a discipline … a steady rhythm of communicating, reporting, and relating across the team, engineered so no one slips past you. Then you catch the one who went quiet, the one in your blind spot, and you turn your head… and reach out your hand.
Belonging starts the moment someone feels seen.
I paused this newsletter for about a year to reset. I was missing things, including the 32nd anniversary of this monster album in July. My mirror had literally blown off. I missed seeing the people I most enjoyed working with… the “Quiet Titans” performing day in and day out, but not really being seen. Where are they, and how do I make it clear that they are seen – at least by me?
I am turning my head to see… and extending my hand to you. It is the work I do now, helping leaders see the people the dashboard misses… themselves included.
Your Simple… Not Easy move: engage the 1 person you have not really looked at recently… Go find their eyes today. “I want your take on this one.” Need support? Schedule time with me here.
Believe it or not, David Crosby sang on this song – yes, THAT David Crosby – the Rock Hall superstar. Singing back up… reaching out his support to this fledgling band and song that made it clear. We can all do so much more if you… Hold My Hand.
