Leap Day. Leap Year. Leap.
Yesterday was a bonus…and extra day for us all in 2008. “Leap Day”. Heck, its Leap Year! The common explanation of leap year is that leap year occurs every four years to help synchronize the calendar year with the solar year, or the length of time it takes the earth to complete its orbit about the sun, which is about 365¼ days. Thus, we add February 29th every 4 years. Leap Day. Leap Year. So what?
I love the word “leap”. It conjures up old memories as an 8 year old athletic-explorer leaping across the swamp as I tried to catch frogs and newer memories of breakthrough results delivered with my team at a large manufacturing plant. And since it is just about time for March Madness, we are reminded of one of the greatest leaps of all time: #23 Michael Jordan launching from behind the foul line in an astounding feat of grace and athleticism punctuated by a tongue-exposed slam dunk. Yeah! Now that is a leap!
Back to you, awesome leader. How do you leap? Describe the last time you took a flying leap? (Sorry, I could not resist). Many of you may be engaged in “lean” initiatives at your workplace. Perhaps you are busy embracing your “continuous improvement” selves. Don’t get me wrong, I see value in the Toyota Way. I have executed many a kaizen and 5S project with measured results. But I am talking leap here. Leap according to the dictionary: To spring or bound upward from or as if from the ground; jump. Sue’s definition: to boldly launch with zest into the unknown. Yeah! Now that is a leap!
What are others saying about leap? Check out Steve Farber. In his modern parable, Radical Leap, Farber beckons us to exude extreme leadership and make a radical leap by taking these 4 actions: Cultivate Love, Generate Energy, Inspire Audacity, Provide Proof. Got love in your work place? Audacity? Now those are leaping words!
Vince Poscente wrote a thought-provoking book, The Age of Speed, that offers counterintuitive views of the speed of life, work and technology. According to Poscente, we must use speed to our advantage to deliver extraordinary results. Seems he likes the word leap as well:“To do things faster, we have to do things faster- we have to act, we have to jump. This requires a stomach for risk, because with change and progress comes a chance of failure….granted there are some risks we avoid because they just aren’t smart…But there are other risks we steer clear of solely because they pull us out of our safety zones. Those are the risks we need to examine more closely: is it smart decision making, or just a lack of courage that keeps us from going down those paths? Consider some of the risks you could take in your life that might help you reach your goals faster. What is keeping you from taking the leap?” Hint: stop and craft your authentic answer here.
No conversation about radical leaping is complete without a short clip from the genius of Tom Peters. In Reimagine (one of my very favorite books), Tom alludes to Olympic-level leaping in one of his fantastic “was-is” contrasts: “be ahead of the pack > be ahead of the curve” Is = leap way out in front. Way out. In fierce, passionate Tom language: “The point is not to “push the envelope” or to “think outside the box. The point is…to rip up the envelope and to burn the box.” Matches anyone?
Kevin Eikenberry inspired me to take a bold leap several weeks ago. In our series of blog and live exchanges the questions surfaced: Sue speak: What bold thing will you do this week? Kevin-ized volley: What remarkable thing will you do this week? Leap. Leap. Thank you, Kevin.
Seems questions can spark leaps…so I will end with one here and ask you to tell us all what is on your mind.
What one leap could you take today that would make all of the difference?
