Can I tell you something I probably shouldn’t be sharing two days before I run a workshop?
I’m having doubts. Me. Someone who coaches others about pitching ideas and getting buy-in is second guessing whether this new workshop has the legs to do what it needs to do.
The ideas behind this workshop feel so natural, so core to my own way of being, so obvious even, I start to wonder if it’s just me. I find myself searching for studies to prove this approach is true, correct, objective.
Is my own lived experience actually ‘expertise’?
Can someone point me to the office where I apply for that stamp of approval?
My co-working AI tells me “oh Jackie, this might be the best workshop you’ve built since we’ve started working together.” Funny how that feels not so special after the fifth time it’s told me that.
The studies I’m pulling up are supporting my ideas, but isn’t that what they call confirmation bias?
And then I think about clients and colleagues who’ve dealt with doubt. The CEO who gets laughs at his weekend stand up gig yet still doesn’t quite trust his jokes. The new consultant who gave up something good to go for the great. The new director who’s excited about stepping into strategy and yet a bit overwhelmed at all the free rein they now have.
What’s happening in the moments they say yes to their work, even as doubts crowd their field of vision?
Like most fall Saturdays, yesterday I was completely focused for about four hours on a football game - cheering my team, curious about the next play, tense with excitement and anticipation.
Maybe THIS play would be the big one. OK, maybe not. Hmmm, I like how they’re lining up here, maybe THIS play would get us a score.
This particular game mattered more than most. My team, #14 Tennessee, hosted #1 Texas. National attention brings more cameras, crowds and noise than normal. Imagine 104,000 fans cheering at once, so loud it registers on the Richter scale. Even for those who have lived that experience, it was a lot to handle.
Now imagine this is your first big game. You’re 18 years old. All eyes on you. Everyone is holding their breath while you read the defense, take the snap, step back and look for an open receiver while five huge guys are charging right at you.
Throw the ball! That guy’s wide open!
Ugh another sack. We’re losing more yards than gaining.
This kid is incredibly talented. His teammates call him super smart. They say he’s steady, a workhorse. He’s got top-tier coaches, someone calling plays in his helmet, pointing which way to go.
But something he’s been saying over the past few weeks has been working at me. Up until yesterday’s game he’d been playing really well. Reporters have been asking about his approach. He’s been very humble, saying he’s just doing what he can to not do too much “extra,” to not make mistakes, to take care of the ball.
That sounds very close to playing it safe. Playing it safe might’ve worked okay for a while, against unranked teams, but I’m not so sure it worked yesterday. What I saw yesterday bordered on playing scared.
It felt like a waste of talent. We all know he’s got it in him to make good plays, big throws, smart decisions. Why wasn’t he throwing down the field?
We wanted to see him try. We wanted to see him own his work, claim his talent and skill, lead the team down the field. What we got was play so safe some say it cost us the game.
I’d rather him throw down field, even if it meant an interception or two. Fans want to feel like we’re worth taking the risk.
The risk of telling new jokes even if one or two falls flat.
The risk of building something new even when nothing's guaranteed.
The risk of embracing full autonomy even when there's no map.
The risk of a new workshop even when you're not sure it'll land.
They deserve the throw.
I don't know if Monday's workshop will land the way I hope. I don't know if my receivers will be open. But I know what it costs to hold the ball.
Come Tuesday, I’ll be taking shots down the field.
Truly,
Jackie
Quiet Signal
Where in your work are you playing it safe when you know you've got the arm to throw it downfield?
Signal Boosts
Want to be one of my receivers Tuesday?
There's still time to sign up!
How to take the cringe out of networking A live, local workshop here in Athens on Sept 29th. And it's free! Thanks to a partnership with
The LaunchBox and DEIBA.
For the entrepreneurs, here's your chance to watch me throw down the field:
How to talk about what you do - and why AI can't do it for you A live, online workshop inside of the
Gather and Grow Conference in October. (Using my affiliate
link to sign up gives me a small share in the revenue.)
October's No Reading Required book chat will feature the new release from Priya Parker The Art of Fighting. Looks to be a great follow up to her bestseller The Art of Gathering. Join us 10-20 for fun conversations about serious ideas. Reply for details.
What's On My Radar
October will bring lots of fall fun, including celebrating 29 years of marriage!
We let the pasture grow wild this year. It's fun to see what natives are popping up, like banks of this swamp flower. Looking forward to exploring our woods again now that the temps are cooler.
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Hi there! I'm Jackie.
I help thoughtful people show up fully without having to become someone they’re not.
LinkedIn Website
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Thank you for reading!
PS: If this, or any of my work, has made an impact, please consider supporting it by:
- forwarding this to those wondering how to trust their work
- replying with a note (I really do read and respond!)
- bringing me in (virtually or IRL) to speak to your group
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