The Things I Miss Most

Today I was thinking about the many things I miss about my work. Though this blog post will not solve any of the significant issues of this challenging time, I do believe it has a purpose. Because as I reflect on how much my work has changed in the past 5 months, it also fills me with such gratitude and appreciation for the people I get to work with, the very interesting and challenging work I have been able to do and the many moments of sheer joy I have often experienced in the midst of all the work.
 
And more than anything right now, experiencing feelings of gratitude and appreciation seem like much needed and very effective medicine, with only positive side effects.
 
I don’t think I am much different than my clients who work full time in organizations. When I am too busy, have too much work and too many deadlines, I get tired and I start missing or dismissing some of the good things happening in my life. I take things for granted. In many conversations with leaders and their teams over the years, it’s clear when they are feeling overwhelmed or overworked, it’s harder to access or notice what is really good in the present moment. This seems like a normal human response. We humans need time to pause and reflect, it’s part of our wiring. Yet more and more this chance to stand back and look at our lives “from the balcony” seems more difficult. 

One thing about this time of COVID - I am taking nothing for granted.
 
Capturing what I miss and writing it down – deepens the feelings of gratitude. So here goes. I miss:
 

• Seeing my clients in person. I miss meeting with them in the busy, vibrant, places where they work. When I go to a client’s workplace, I learn so much about their organization: the pace, the culture, the people on their team. It’s so vibrant and full of life and every organization has a “living narrative” that you can only access when you visit in person. 
• Facilitating team sessions, with all the talking, and noise and laughter that always happens when people are working on something strategic, setting annual goals, solving a big challenge or learning and growing.
• Being present with the whole person – being able to see what is happening somatically. Our bodies are rich sources of real time data about what is happening inside. Being able to observe and discuss what might be going on is so important and helpful. Video is okay, but not as good as in-person.
• Seeing clients who have become my trusted colleagues and collaborators. I live “being a part” of an organization vicariously by getting to know my client’s organizations and their people well. The trust we have built through many projects, makes the work easier, faster and better.
• Hugs. I don’t miss handshakes. I have always preferred hugs when I know clients well. I know this is verboten in a number of organizations these days – but clients are often able to treat me a little differently and I covet that. I think this is because I was raised in a big, affectionate family. We had our own kind of crazy, but there were a lot of hugs! 

 
What do you miss? Have you reflected on it, captured it or shared it with your colleagues? It’s worth exploring because I think it will cultivate some positive feelings and raise your spirits a bit. And most of us need more of that right now.
 
Moira Clarke founded Leadership Consulting Partners 20 years ago to help companies advance their leadership and people systems. If you are reading this to the end, and you find value, please say so and share with others on LinkedIn and Twitter. Thank you!