Inspiration can come from anywhere.
I just returned from a short vacation to Boston and southern Maine with the family and had to share a jolt of inspiration from the Boston's Children's Museum. (First, a shameless plug for the museum. It was an awesome place for kid and adult alike. I highly recommend it, especially for those with children. Now, on to the inspiration.)
As I was strolling along, watching my three year old become drawn in by all the hands on exhibits I was drawn to an area called "John Hancock Science Playground." What drew me was the motto of this area, "Notice, wonder, question, play." So simple, but profound in the possibilities for anyone who would apply those four words to whatever station in life you find yourself. One area of life you might not think this had application is leadership, and that is exactly where my mind went.
For kids, this motto makes total sense, especially in a learning environment. Kids absorb the most and are at their most creative when they are free to let their natural curiosity roam, to ask lots of questions and to play in that space without fear of making mistakes or getting it wrong. The application for those in a position of leadership may not be so obvious.
The role of a leader, especially those who choose to serve through leadership, is to empower those being served; to leave them wiser, freer, and more autonomous through every encounter. What better way to accomplish this than to honor each of the four parts of the motto, "notice, wonder, question, play?"
The next four blog posts will touch on each of the four parts of this motto and how it is relevant to your leadership journey.
