“I have been thinking about throwing my hat in the ring for quite some time - for years actually, but for a whole host of reasons, I've been very reluctant."
"I am on the board of an organization that is searching for its next CEO. I have been thinking about throwing my hat in the ring for quite some time - for years actually, but for a whole host of reasons, I've been very reluctant. As of a couple of weeks ago, all of these half-formed thoughts kept racing round and round in my head. I felt stuck.
And then Tracy took me through an attunement exercise. I actually came planning to talk about something entirely different, but this issue came to the fore when Tracy asked what was most important to address. The exercise took me past what had mostly been a mental, intellectual exercise. It helped me identify my feelings and emotions – things I usually don’t talk much about. It helped me take a step back and think more internally and more holistically, allowing me to put into words what I was thinking. Before this, I don’t think I had really been owning what I was thinking and sensing. And I think there was a kind of security I found in the ambiguity. As long as it was just a vague sense of something, I could probably have had this conversation in my head for another year before having to do anything about it.
Through the exercise, however, I identified that some of what I was feeling was fear. I identified some of the things that had been holding me back. I sensed God meeting me in my fear, and that he wanted me to make myself available to be a part of the solution, including being willing to consider the CEO role. It didn’t mean that I would actually be selected for the role, but I didn’t need to worry about that.
I walked away from the exercise with a sense of relief, even though this would lead to so many more unknowns about the future for me and my family. The outcomes were out of my hands. I could not control the situation - but I could engage with what’s next. This sense was affirmed and expanded over the next few days. He’s letting me know it’s OK to look at this CEO role. Even if it doesn’t work out – even if I get rejected – he’s got me. It’s OK. Be strong and courageous.
I feel energized. I feel at peace. I feel comfortable not being in control. In the face of all the unknowns, I know God will walk me and my family through this."