Dr. Gregg suggested I document the day and the culmination of everything that has come into focus, clarity and alignment over the last year. Rather instead of documenting what's already been said, I'll say authenticity can be distilled from the work done.
I had an interview with perspective employer. I changed my game plan heading into this one. I didn't want more rounds of question-answer exchanges. With 20 years in business and you can't hit a homer on competency alone, maybe life choices should be evaluated.
I came in with the mindset and intention of sharing the story behind the resume. The tone was totally different. Authentic and genuine. We had a natural 45 minute conversation. I didn't come in with rehearsed answers or playing the role of a seasoned 20 year industry vet. I am in as KB and let the story unfold as to who I am and how it aligns with leadership strategy, operational thinking, values and priorities. I'm OK with whatever the result is because I know I did it with excellence and with truth. I wasn't a stuffy GM. I wasn't a crusty leader. I was KB with a story illustrating the life lived, lessons learned and clarity discovered. Leaving it to the interviewer to contemplate her decision. There may have been a word or a deeper elaboration that comes from the editor in me. And I would not have done one thing different. The moment and time shared was true and it was excellence. It was two people visiting and sharing a natural conversation about leadership and an industry we're both intimately familiar.
Every person I eventually interviewed with is someone promoted from the exact same position I am applying. I find that interesting. Growth opportunity and cracking into an existing leadership hierarchy and bench they've invested in developing is an interesting proposition. It means the existing carefully laid plans may be diverted, postponed or rerouted. Just an observation. A big ask when I think about it.
I will share this - at the end of the interview it was said "I thought I may have another round of interviews. Now I think I got what I needed." I'll take it. Doesn't mean anything but the decision got easier or gave her the information originally lacking to evaluate each candidate in the selection process.
After, I came downstairs and cranked the old music making machine and it was goosebumps after goosebumps... Every John Williams (would I listen to anything else after an interview) piece hit differently. Beauty was present in all the excellence that came before... the design of the components and speakers and the excellence from which John Williams applies when composing. The excellence in musicianship and manufacturing. The excellence in direction. Recording, mastering and production. It was a plug to sofa chain of excellence. BOOM goes the dynomite.
I thought about incorporating beauty into the honest pursuit of excellence and truth and decided against it. The thought is if you pursue beauty you try to pursue one of life's wonders. Beauty shows up when not expected or invited. How do you pursue beauty? I don't know. I do know how to pursue truth and excellence and I can quantify those. And at some random and mystical intersection of so many things, we notice or experience the unexpected delight in something beautiful. Pursuit of beauty would be contrived. Beauty is spontaneous, mysterious and a magical phenomenon to behold.
I don't think I ever succinctly articulated a guiding direction for my life. Or it's been a long time since I thought about it. Previously it was verb based. "I produce excellence." Give me a job and I do it to the best of my ability. Having an expression of how I want to live my life in the honest pursuit of excellence and truth hit's different. It's something I seek in myself and the world I am part of. It's something I practice. It's not a destination - it's a guide. It's an ideal. It's clarified alignment. Staying true to the honest to the pursuit of excellence and truth sounds like a good recipe for a meaningful life.
No comments:
Post a Comment