Limitless

I was recently in Sydney for work and spent a few days with a fellow from Melbourne who also works for the organisation. He's a little younger than me, over half my age, and while he's a nice lad, polite, intelligent and knowledgeable in his field, he's out of his depth within the organisation...and he knows it.

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Limited

I'm an experienced operator and took the lead as my role dictates and requires and he was content to play a supporting role. The deeper into the situation we got the more uncomfortable he felt and more reliant he became on me and my expertise. It was also apparent he was becoming demoralised, questioned his relevance and ability and that his confidence was diminishing at a rapid rate; I was prepared for that though and worked towards involving him, seeking his opinion and input and giving him small and achievable tasks to help him feel part of the team. It worked well.

We were staying in the same hotel and had dinner and breakfast in the restaurant together each day. We'd sit from 19:30h to 21:30h talking over food and a drink or two each night and at 06:00h the next morning would be there for breakfast and more talking; some was work but much revolved around personal matters and personal improvement specifically.

We covered a lot of topics and concepts; some blew his mind and some were things he'd heard before but differently and in different times of his life that just hadn't sunk in at the time. As we hung out and talked more and more I could see a transformation in him, maybe I should say, a realisation, as I could see the concepts were beginning to make sense, the dots were connecting and at the same time his thoughts and attitudes were changing...or at least expanding to cover more ground...a paradigm shift.

Limitless

The lack of confidence and doubt was replaced with motivation to seek greater understanding of how he could shape himself, build on existing skills and work towards better outcomes.

I saw the spark of ambition push the sense of irrelevance away and feed the determination to be a better version of himself personally and professionally.

I saw a young lad who, due to a few small conversations and concepts, seemed ready and willing to begin a new journey that would carry forward for years to come should he work hard enough to develop it...and I saw myself in him as well; I was where he is now many years ago.

The fellow doesn't yet know he's kicked a hornet's nest meaning he doesn't understand just what lies ahead, the difficulties, challenges and complexities of the journey he wants to take...but he sees the opportunities, benefits and better life that's possible; above all, he understands that he is only limited by himself...and that his potential growth and development is limitless. That's cool right? It'll make his journey more effective.

As a senior member within my organisation it's my obligation to lead those less skilled or experienced and to help them develop into what will become the next generation, the future, of the organisation. Some are malleable and easily developed because they want to be (like the lad I mention here) and others are not so easily worked with or are reluctant to show the ownership and discipline it takes to uncover the limitless potential each human holds within - this is why some excel in life and others flounder. It's a choice, a decision one needs to make for themselves, and from there...well, that's when the hard work starts.

I will keep an eye on the lad, make myself available when he needs me by phone and video chat, in person when our jobs cause our paths to converge, and applaud and celebrate his successes; I'm confident he will achieve his goals professionally and personally because he has the right motivation, a compelling reason to succeed, and I'm pleased to have helped him find the path.

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It's a sad fact that so many people don't see their potential or choose to push it downwards out of fear of failure or understanding; placing limitations upon oneself is common I guess, maybe because it's easier than the (usually) difficult road to enlightenment, improvement and positive personal growth...but that limitless potential is always there, laying dormant waiting for each person to tap into it.

Have you got any thoughts on the matter? Feel free to comment if you'd like.