Change, challenge & perspective
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
So starts the famous Prayer for serenity.
Over the years I have struggled with the concept of accepting things I cannot change, after all, I ask myself, isn’t anything possible? I am not sure I will ever be fully at peace with the notion that in life there are simply some things that I should accept and move on. For example there are people in life who have a fixed and immovable view on some aspect of life and no amount of rationale, argument or data presented to the contrary will change this. This is something I have battled with accepting, but sometimes I must. After all, there are always other ways of looking at things.
Now it is this notion, that we each come to situations with different perspectives that I truly embrace. At the heart of difference lies innovation and creativity. It is why for me that a diverse and inclusive business is the only way to be. When we see things through different lenses then innovation is born. Our best ideas come from the melting pot and challenge of fresh ways of looking at problems.
You will no doubt have experienced being part of a high energy, lively meeting surrounded by people who think in ways not at all like you. As people dive in and over speak each other, words painting alternative ways forward, there is suddenly the realisation that something really special is going on. We see it all the time now in our businesses.
For instance right now one of our businesses is working on a crucial tender where we are creating a complex solution for a major client. This work is bringing a wide range of experts in Nash Squared together from completely different disciplines and geographies. Our best work is being written because of the different experiences we are bringing to the table. Time will tell if this leads to a win. In the meantime we are learning at the speed of light to see new possibilities, to challenge with courage and respect in equal measures.
We are holding ourselves to account to be truly inclusive, welcoming colleagues that come with different perspectives and different ideas. This is shaping us into being a bolder, more courageous and innovative business. It is an exciting time to be part of Nash Squared.
So, to return to quote I started this posting with, I will continue to focus my energy onto the things I can change, rather than things I cannot. But also remember what people can and can’t change is different for every person. When we work together almost anything is possible.
As we head into the second half of our year I look forward to hearing your stories of how we have taken new approaches to old challenges and what that yielded.
I look forward to seeing you out on the Road Ahead.