Uncommon Opportunities
“It's the opportunity of a lifetime!”
Sound familiar?
It seems to me that the “the opportunity of a lifetime” comes around about once a week!
Well, it can feel this way sometimes, especially when people are trying to sell me things.
I once asked my son which family trip we had been on was his favorite, he said “the Safari in Africa was the trip of a lifetime, I’d like to go again”. Of course, if it truly is the trip of a lifetime, then by technical definition, you don’t get to do it again :).
What truly qualifies as the opportunity of a lifetime?
I think it is more helpful to think about the concept of “Uncommon Opportunities”.
There are many opportunities that come our way, and some may seem more compelling than others, but perhaps the ones we ought to take up are the ones that really seem Uncommon. Unique. Rare.
Sales, deals and experiences are opportunities that seem to come along pretty regularly. What is truly uncommon? As a leader, what is something that is truly rare?
I suggest to you as a leader that being part of a community or group of other leaders to process life together is an uncommon opportunity worth pursuing!
It is common to toil alone as a leader. The Uncommon Opportunity is to team up with others.
I am part of a LeaderImpact Group and we essentially do a few things each week - we read a chapter of a great leadership book, discuss it together, and there are periodic opportunities to host a guest speaker or attend a conference or webinar or socialize together. There is even the chance to exchange with other leaders around the world. Are these uncommon things?
In and of themselves, these things may not be uncommon.
Anyone can read a good book.
“of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body”
We can also discuss things all day long and there are a plethora of conferences or webinars we could attend! Yet, we keep coming back to be together week after week. Why? I think it's the combination of doing these things together in affinity with others we are growing in relationship with.
As one leader said to me:
"Sometimes it's lonely at the top, that comes with the territory. However,... through regular interactions with other leaders, and some of the excellent resources, I have realized that I can have the power to change this"
It is not uncommon to do any of the things listed above.
What is uncommon is to be able to do some of these things with others, peers, people with similar challenges and be able to interact and share them together on a regular basis. Through LeaderImpact groups I have been able to meet some of the most incredible people, and to hear their stories and perspectives.
Many leaders find themselves in a lonely place. They can’t easily process their challenges with people around them, such as employees, team members, and often friends and family who may not understand their context. But other leaders often do get it. They can relate, empathize and even help with solutions and encouragement.
We live in such a fast paced world that it can be hard to keep up life’s regular commitments, and so one of the truly uncommon opportunities in life may in fact be the opportunity to take a step back and invest in yourself as a leader. Allow yourself the luxury of time to grow and be refreshed by others.
So yes, this is a pitch for inviting you to consider joining a LeaderImpact group if you are a leader and are not already part of a group - you can find out more here.
However, more than this, I want to encourage you to find your space where you can seek out the wisdom of others, learn from them, and also offer them something. Invest and give to others as you receive yourself. Find a community that fits your affinities and people that are part of your ‘tribe’ and get involved. Sign up. Participating. Learn. Grow. Flourish.
This to me is truly uncommon.
Often we just hunker down and try to manage life on our own, in our own heads - this is common. Or we try to ‘escape’ from our situations hoping the next trip, holiday or buzz will take our mind off things for a while.
What is uncommon is intentionally teaming up with a few other quality people who can mutually invest in each other.
As Solomon the wise also said:
“Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—a miserable business!
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. “ (Ecclesiastes 4: 7-12).
It is common to toil alone as a leader. The Uncommon Opportunity is to team up with others.
To me, that really is the opportunity of a lifetime.