Where is the edge?
Are you sitting comfortably? Let me rephrase that. Are you ready to be uncomfortable? We are in the business of raising the bar in change leadership after all! “Yes!” to discomfort? You’re up for that? Then we shall begin. We’re off to the edge! Yet, where is it?
“Where is the edge?” is one of our core values, posed as questions, questions we ask of ourselves and our clients at Leading Change Specialists. So, What is the edge? How do we bring ourselves to the edge? And, why are we seeking the edge anyway?
What is the edge?
Whenever there’s change, there’s an edge. The edge is the place between the known and unknown; the current and the new. It can be represented by a line or a point - or even a seeming abyss.
The edge marks the threshold between what we know of our strengths, knowledge, and confidence and what we need to step into as a leader, team, and organisation in a new way of being that is wanting to emerge.
At the edge we might notice edgy behaviour from ourselves and others: silence, fidgeting, laughing, looking away or down, telling jokes or talking too much. Beneath these behaviours are emotions such as fear, excitement, anxiety, frustration, exhilaration, overwhelm, confusion. Whether thrilling or scary at the edge, or a mix of both, there’s discomfort.
How do we bring ourselves to the edge?
Stepping up to the edge is uncomfortable. It takes courage. Courage to step into and acknowledge discomfort. Courage to bring the curiosity required to explore the discomfort and risk being vulnerable. Courage to delve into the deep purpose of why we want change and risk exposing our hearts.
Why are we seeking the edge?
Seeking the edge takes courage and curiosity. Those that seek the edge understand that it is at the edge where our learning lies. In a world of change, we have the opportunity to seek the edge and grow through the discomfort of change with awareness, intentionally transforming ourselves, our teams, and our organisations.
Where is the edge?
The edge is at the place of potential growth. The place that must be crossed if new ways of being are to emerge. The place where there’s potential to break into emerging markets, create a gender diverse organisation, grow a family business into a community business, merge companies together and in crossing the edge, raise the bar in change leadership.
Where is your growth edge?