In leadership there are often many new beginnings -- new relationships, new projects, new challenges. When presented with newness it can be tempting to dive in, without seeing the long-term ramifications of the choices one makes in the early stages. Line standing at the starting line of a race, adrenaline may be pumping and excitement may be in the air, all of which can cloud our judgment in starting off on the right foot. Then once in motion, it can be hard to course correct these choices as the further away from their initiation the more sunk costs one has in them and the stronger the likelihood of seeing them through regardless of likely outcomes.
A wise colleague once advised me that "we must not begin in a way in which we are not prepared to continue." What great counsel as these words encourage taking pause in the heat of an optimistic moment of something new to remember that such excitement may be short lived and the way one starts anything can set the tone for future action related to that new work. Such a tone should be sustainable, true to one's values, and aligned with your personal and or professional mission, and if it is not, then one should think twice about beginning at all.
Comments