My last few scribblings have drifted through a few leadership lessons, to something a little more…personal. I found the flow of which I spoke last week deposited me briefly in a purple patch.
Purple patch: A period of excellent performance, where nearly everything seems to go right, and work properly.
This particular purple patch started with a magnificent achievement. Not delivered by me, but by my daughter. Last Friday Keira mastered the art of bicycle riding – look ma, no stabilisers. Purple bike. The following day saw Keira and I join forces with good friend Tamsin Webster on another phase of our London Elephant hunt. We found another 40 of these fantastic beasts scattered around London, many of them with more than a hint of purple. Sunday was spent in the garden. My purple radar is by now finely tuned, and I see purple flowers everywhere.
The world of work is becoming very purple too. Lots of useful, productive discussions. Proposals written with a sense of real purpose. Negotiations entered into with a genuine sense of reciprocity in mind.
I read a great post today by my buddy Matt Cheuvront. He’s a flowful guy, recently married, and recently the founder of his own business. He’s wise…beyond his years. Matt’s talking about some useful lessons learned in his short time as founder of his own company. I’ve lived, and am living these lessons. Lessons like: Don’t be (too) Proud, Offer Something Tangible, and Don’t Chase Money. He strikes a chord. And he makes me think. Employee engagement is not just the preserve of bigger businesses. It matters to all of us. Even us (currently) small businesses.
Purpose, motivation, productivity. Flow on.
We’re learning, growing, and flowing. Are you?