Join us if you're yearning for business insights peppered with adventure, humanity, and a dash of humility. It’s more than success; it’s about significance.
The CC - The Rare Gift of Attention
The Rare Gift of AttentionI’ve spent most of my life paying attention to projects, with just enough attention to people to keep the company healthy. I told Geoff I’ve noticed something changing; I’m more interested in the person than in their projects. He didn’t let that pass. “You spent twenty-five years as a go-to guy for the staff and customers in your business. You were a problem solver. Why do you want to change your focus?” I’ve found that Geoff always pokes me to see myself in new ways. Probably because he’s spent big chunks of time paying attention to people, and years counseling. He’s right, I used to listen in order to offer advice, giving people the correct solutions. I thought my mandate was to solve problems so that they could get on with their lives Now I’m noticing the complex and intriguing stories people have. And not seeing them as problems. Geoff brought me out of my musings, “Grayson, I really liked your recent post “I Choose You”. “If attention is a choice,” he asked, “What are you choosing now, projects, or people?” “Well, it still usually starts with their need for a business solution.” Pausing for the words, I looked out the window, “But now, when people choose to be with me, I want to be there to hear about their personal stories. They deserve that kind of attention, especially when their business and life is messy.” I used to feel an obligation to listen to people. Now it’s more of a determined choice. I respect how Geoff helps people find a pathway around their struggles. He's been through a load of physical pain; then a lot of family heartbreak. But he still notices and listens to people in his community. I thought it matters that I had a CEO title, but it doesn’t. People still choose to sit with me And I'm honoured to be there. So this is the shift I’m making: From paying attention to what people produce; To paying attention to who they are becoming. It’s slower. Less efficient. But it feels to me like the work that actually matters. I would love to connect with you on LinkedIn and Facebook See you next week, Grayson Did someone forward you this email? Get weekly reflections straight to your inbox by subscribing to The Compassionate Competitor. Want to share this issue via text, social media, or email? Just copy and paste this link: [ARCHIVE URL GOES HERE] |
Grayson Bain
Join us if you're yearning for business insights peppered with adventure, humanity, and a dash of humility. It’s more than success; it’s about significance.
Maybe I've Got No Bad Parts. Parts of me felt flawed, I was a failure. I was grieving my damaged identity, imagined future. I’d disappointed an investor, employees and customers. Sitting at the cafe, feeling completely abandoned. I was depressed. Angry at myself for making such a mess of the company I owned. But little did I know I was learning about my relationship to suffering. Lessons that would enrich me decades later. “Just let me change places with you. I’ll take your apron and your...
A Syncopated Rhythm of Joy and Pain I once believed the pain of business failures was something to conquer, not listen to. I had learned to be strong, to keep a tight tempo, and override any failure. I felt an acute tightness in my chest, and my gut roiled in discomfort in my determination to keep my life in balance and to shut out the discord of stressful days. Maybe it's the imbalance of stress and pain that feels to me like the dissonance of jazz. Peace isn't always found in perfect...
Old Men Ought to be Explorers Throughout my career, I collected skills that helped me build businesses. Last week, watching The Odyssey, I realized I've had my career with risks and rewards, but now I’m wondering what to do. After Odysseus won the battle at Troy, he travelled through numerous memorable adventures before finally reaching home twenty years later. It wasn't the battles that caused me to think about the movie’s plot, it was the ending. After surviving war, monsters and losing his...