I am, undoubtedly, firmly in the “enthusiastic but technically very poor” category when it comes to catching waves. Maybe that puts me in a better position to reflect on the ingredients for success than those who seem to ride effortlessly, sub-consciously.

What am I going on about this time?

Well the analogy is this, for me to surf successfully all manner of variables need to converge favourably at one optimum moment. I need to start flapping my arms in the sea at just the right time, the wave needs to be right (not too fast / slow / big / small etc), I need to jump up at the right time, plant my feet in the right place, find the composure to stand up, not have anyone or anything in front to distract me, attachment rope thingy out of the way and so it goes on. On around 1:100 potential rides, I get it right, it all comes together.

Some of this I can manage through training but really, most of it is a combination of fortuitous occurrences combined with the fact I have put myself in the sea and am ready to work to exhaustion until everything else comes into place. It certainly isn’t going to happen if I sit in the car park talking myself through the long list of hazards that will almost definitely get the better of me.

The benefit of my weakness in surfing – to bring this one to a point – is that it teaches me respect for 2 things:

1. Some things are beyond my control and I need to get good at adjusting

2. Surfing is best learnt in the sea

And so it goes with some of my recent experiences. For all the messy waves and flotsam and jetsom that currently surround me, I can’t help feeling an overwhelming sense of optimism. Recent monumental events in the US ring of possibility (and who hasn’t used that outcome to look for optimism in the World?) and we hear the future boss of the world talking of “higher causes” and the like.

On a less global but no less important level (for me anyway) I have just come away from a meeting with Prudence Clarke, founder of the ground-breaking PLACEleader© project manager’s leadership development programme. All our talk is of what can and will be. Our allegiance is based on joining forces to expand what is already a first-class leadership development tool for Project Managers. I will get into the details in future posts but it’s definitely one of those 1:100 moments. Finally it looks like I am truly going to be able to combine my technical project management knowledge with my passion (born of my background in rehabilitation) for helping individuals work through complex problems.

I have found a match in values, philosophies and beliefs borne of an evidence-based confidence in approaches.
In short, what the team at PLACEleader will be developing is a focused coaching service for Project Managers going through their demanding 5-day leadership programme. Their concern is that value from the programme is being lost due to inadequate post-course support once learners return to the harsh realities of their projects. We will soon be able to provide ongoing support and guidance that allow these leaders to practice, test and hone their leadership competences. In PLACEleaders I have found an organisation that believes passionately values I have held dear for yonks and who intend to address the issue head-on and in a very high quality way. Prudence was keen for me to promote their mantra ““Managers are necessary, leaders are essential” – what do you think?

So I’ll leave it there for now – I have a new business case to write, but as Watford Junction whizzes past my left ear I can’t help but wonder how much of our luck is in our own hands?