The Long Now
The Fusion Group is excited to be celebrating our 40th year in business!
This is quite a milestone for a small business that was founded by Jennifer StJohn in 1984.
This year we will be sharing our Past history – from Fusion wisdom to client testimonials and more! As we look to the Future, we will share our insight and vision for what’s next.
Now, we want to connect and reconnect with each of you.
If you have any questions or thoughts, we would love to hear from you. If you have been through our training, let’s talk about the next level or refresher. If you haven’t worked with us, we’d love to engage to earn your business.
We look forward to helping you in the NOW for the Future!
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The Long Now
“The Past is History. The Future is a Mystery. Today is a Gift. That’s why we call it The Present!”
Bill Keane, American Cartoonist, Creator of The Family Circus; also… Master Oogway of Kung Fu Panda; and… Joan Rivers, American Comedienne; and… Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States; (a small, side-commentary on the nature of quote research on the internet…)
The more philosophical among us have long pointed out that the future never arrives, and the past never seems to fully depart — leaving us — always, in this intersection in-between called, “Now.” Hang on to that thought…
The Past is History.
A favorite client taught us a lesson. He came down to our office for Executive Counsel and brought his 360º Review along. The comments were insightful — some acerbic. On reading, one got the impression that he was two people. Everyone agreed that he was personally talented, determined, energetic and committed. Well…
Yet, nobody wanted to work for him. There was just too much blame, criticism, upset and doom in his presence. While people could see and credit his vision and energy; he also tended to burn out his biggest supporters with his unrelenting dark and difficult perspective. He faced a challenge, his skills put him in line for more leadership and responsibility; but his character put him in a career dead end.
We discussed the place that “Fun” has in the work environment. Competition. Building an environment that celebrates the differences of the teammates and allows and enjoys the moments of silliness and humor that seem to find their way into the best of teams. He got it, but it was not his way. He said, “I can’t help noticing the flaws and failures in everything we do, in the quality of the work and the character of the people. I can’t not point these things out. Failing to point out the flaws would be dishonest!”
And that was the heart of it: “Compulsive, brutal and critical honesty.” It was his fatal flaw. There was no promotion, and his career drifted and ended. He could never answer the question: “Flawed compared to what? How can anyone be any better than they are in this moment?”
The Future is a Mystery.
Leaders are drivers — and driven! Some are aggressive, some paranoid — even perverse. But the great ones somehow know how to soften the burden of “eminent perfection” and give people time to evolve into their better future while enjoying the gift of The Present. You can’t be better than you are right now — not until the next moment comes along.
Perhaps the lesson is this: “Now” is a long time. Those gifted with a lofty vision and a penetrating sense of what needs to be resolved to be better, face a tough grind: they have to separate out their considerations of what can or ought to be (in the future) from what actually is (right now in the present.) Then, they have to allow and intend for the future to unfold — building the bridge from Now to Then without killing the construction crew.
It’s not going to be a better future if everyone resigns, if the crew wilts under the stress, or if the executive has a coronary. You can’t be better than you are until you grow into the you the future holds in store.
Today is a Gift.
There’s a road, somewhere in the middle — crying out for a white line — that helps the executive find the way to the future while keeping the enterprise sound. One has to note the mistakes of the past and negotiate the road to the future while making things livable right now. There are lots of leaders, but few have that kind of skill — Greatness. One might call it a Gift.
Applications
1. Personally
Self Management is where it begins. Can you forgive your failures of the past and begin right now to plan for the future — one small step at a time? Many of us have given up in frustration because we allowed the weight of our perfect vision to crush our resolve to change. Start being a “Compassionate Boss” with yourself now. What would a reasonable person expect of the next year? What outcome would be both meaningful and fun? Break it down into monthly / weekly / daily increments. Why not start now?
2. At Home
I don’t know about your house, but parental expectations always seemed to be heavy at ours… Can you find the fine line between ignoring or crushing the family? The middle road of, “Wow, that swing was great! Now let’s practice actually connecting with the ball!”
Love the moment. Leave the moment. Anticipate the next.
3. At Work
It hasn’t been an easy decade so far — market pressures, new structures and regulations. And the background noise of government with an ever-present agenda. Is it possible to take a moment on your team and appreciate the simple fact that everyone is employed, and able? Then step back for a second and lower expectations to a reasonable level: “What can we actually accomplish in the next six months?” Let’s do that! Then pause and enjoy fifteen minutes of triumph!
We’ll never get there — because the future never arrives — but yet, it’s always in the foreground, threatening. Then, suddenly; our kids are in college, the company has been acquired, and our grip on the briefcase isn’t as firm and pain-free as it once was. Your gift as a leader might be to find a way to insert a moment every day to give your team the chance to breathe, reflect and appreciate…
…the Present. Enjoy the Gift!
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