Squirrel

21/12/2016

We were talking about focus in leadership and coaching and my colleague, Pav, looked at me intently and said, quite simply, ‘Keep your eye on the squirrel!’ It did make me laugh. It’s a fun, colourful image that cautions us to stay focused, to avoid getting side-tracked, to beware of – like Alice in Wonderland – falling down proverbial rabbit holes (if you can forgive the mixed metaphor). Or to quote guru Stephen Covey: ‘The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.’

I can see the sense in this. If we work to achieve a vision, to fulfil a strategy, it can enable us to be effective and efficient, to prioritise and reach goals. It can also help us to avoid dissipating energy, wasting resources. It’s a reason why, when coaching, I will ask clients questions such as, ‘What are we here to do?’, ‘What are you hoping for?’, ‘What is possible if we do this well?’, ‘What would a great outcome look and feel like?’, ‘How will we know when you have reached it?’

The flip side is that we can become so focused, fixed, planned, organised, that we may miss all kinds of serendipitous adventures and emergent opportunities that arise. A friend, Rob, commented on this recently: ‘When we look back in life, many of our best relationships and experiences came as a result of things which, on the face of it, at the time, appeared to go horribly wrong.’ A question for leaders, coaches and clients could be: how to be well-focused – and yet open to the potential of each moment?

Finally, what appears to us to be 'the main thing', the most important thing, depends a lot on what we believe, our values, how we are feeling, our cultural paradigm and what frame of reference we adopt. A shift in language, perspective or circumstance can change the whole way in which we view and construe something or someone. A related challenge for leaders, coaches and clients may be, therefore: how to keep our eyes on the squirrel – without becoming blinded or fixated by it..?

50 Comments

Zeb Waturuocha

22/12/2016 08:54:21 am

Interesting Nick, I see the point of focus as the point that will pull other parts up once this point is lifted. It's like the wide tarpaulin use for making tents. There is a point on this tarpaulin that once it is lifted, other parts will fall into place. I think the challenge is locating this point of focus that will take care of other points that compete for focus.

Nick Wright

22/12/2016 08:55:17 am

Thanks Zeb. I love the tarpaulin metaphor - and what a great example of systemic thinking!

Viv Fernside

22/12/2016 10:09:25 am

This did make me laugh! I may need to print the picture and put it in my view line.

22/12/2016 10:09:52 am

Yes - keep your eye on it, Viv! :)

Allison Dolan

22/12/2016 03:36:29 pm

"Messy The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives" by Tim Harford makes a similar point about the value in shifting focus. One of the practices he highlighted was allowing employees xx amount of time to pursue their own interests. By providing/encouraging time spent on other activities, employees tended to return to the 'real work' more productive (not to mention the creativity and innovation that may result from the personal time projects).

22/12/2016 03:39:45 pm

Thanks Allison. I'll have a look at the book! We adopted a similar approach in an NGO I worked with. It challenged the whole linear 'prove direct benefit' paradigm that is so prevalent in many organisations today, particularly in the learning and development arena.

Ian Henderson

22/12/2016 04:18:27 pm

And I thought you were referring to 'UP'!!

22/12/2016 04:18:55 pm

Hi Ian. Erm..??

Stella Goddard BA (Hons) Registered MBACP (Accred)

23/12/2016 08:11:25 am

Another excellent post Nick. I think life is made up of many goals some conscious some unconscious. I can think of times when I have undertaken endurance events - 3 London marathons and my degree spring to mind and how I managed to 'keep my eye on the squirrel.' I ran the marathons before I did my degree and found that preparation is key. There may be times when we 'hit the wall'and feel that we can't go on. I believe that every step of the journey is important and we can learn much about ourselves and other people along the way. I would suggest that we can't reach our goals without the support of other people. Part of the remaining focussed, particularly when things become difficult is to remind oneself of the reason for the goal - the marathons were to raise money for some charities, the degree to enable me to be equipped to help others.

23/12/2016 08:22:30 am

Many thanks, Stella. Thanks for sharing some personal examples of great things achieved through focus...and hard work and perseverance! I think your comment about 'support of other people' is important. We can be so focused on our own task, so fixated on our own goal, that we miss people and potential resources around us that could help us on route. I think this is where resource-fulness is often about learning to look up and around us. I like the outcomes that motivated you too! A good reminder to stay open and focused on who and what matters most.

23/12/2016 03:52:33 pm

Thank you so much for your reflections. Another thought occurred to me - pacing and timing are crucial too when we are working towards goals. When we prepare and put our roots down deep they need time to become established. If we rush we may find that we are uprooted when things become difficult. I remember on one of the marathons finding the pacer who was running at the pace I felt was the right one for the time I believed it would take me to complete the 26.2 miles. It was so helpful. Someone wise once said to me - run your own race. I was delighted to find that along the way there were many people running alongside who offered words of encouragement etc. I really do believe that the marathons were part of my preparation for my degree and building my counselling practices. They have also helped me with personal situations which have been challenging.

23/12/2016 03:55:10 pm

Thanks Stella. Lots of deep reflections! I have a friend, Guy Rothwell, who speaks of the need for 'space and pace'. It resonates well with what you are articulating here.

Thom H. Boehm

23/12/2016 08:25:12 am

Just don't start chasing after it.

23/12/2016 08:26:04 am

Thanks Tom.You made me laugh...and then I thought, '...unless it is Jesus'..! :)

Mike Johnson

23/12/2016 08:26:54 am

I followed the squirrel right here. I've been feeding my own backyard squirrel for five years now. Fluffy and I have a thing. So I'm your target audience.
I agree we need to stay flexible and open Nick. I suspect that the first thing we realize and say after death is, "I didn't have to make it so difficult, did I?"
Lighten up. Life on earth is like a cruise in the Caribbean. You want to take a swim but you don't hang on to every step of the process getting from your cabin to the pool like grim death. You just decide and do it. You might even stop on the way to buy an umbrella drink. It's OK. In fact, the drink distraction made the swim better.

23/12/2016 08:28:38 am

Hi Mike...and Fluffy! :) I like the way you expressed that so evocatively and creatively. Brightened my day. :)

Alubba Fenix

23/12/2016 03:50:28 pm

Nice Article. Order and structure is necessary, but, if we are not paying attention and making the minor corrections required in real time then over time the structure becomes a limit to growth and can ultimately can collapse into Chaos. So the key is to remain present and aware of what is happening in the moment, not not be blind, but, to see and to act.

23/12/2016 03:51:33 pm

Thanks Alubba. Yes, I agree. Presence and awareness in the moment are key.

Funmi Johnson

26/12/2016 07:14:13 pm

Another great write up.

26/12/2016 07:14:36 pm

Thanks Funmi. :)

Kristin Sherry

26/12/2016 07:15:48 pm

I am so glad you acknowledge the importance of being open. The question, "What opportunities does this situation create?" is what I use a lot when coaching people through disappointment. Disappointment when things don't go as planned, can lead to set backs, negativity, depression, giving up. Enjoyed your post!

26/12/2016 07:17:19 pm

Thanks Kristin. That's a great question...especially when posed after a person has had time to deal with some of the immediate emotional impacts.

Cheryl Ann VanDeCruize,MA, BA.(HR/IR), MB,Cert.

26/12/2016 07:18:04 pm

Awesome post . A reminder to keep our eyes on the prize but to remember what the prize looks like, and to pay attention to the wrapper also.

26/12/2016 07:18:41 pm

Thanks Cheryl! I like that metaphor too.

Nese Kerimoglu

26/12/2016 07:19:36 pm

I like this post a lot. I suggest just letting the squirrel to be the guide on the road of self discoveries during the coaching process.

26/12/2016 07:20:26 pm

Thank you, Nese. I like that imagery! :)

Jennifer Blackburn

26/12/2016 07:21:35 pm

Awareness is everything. With movement we speak greater than our mouths. As well in hearing with eyes instead of our ears.

26/12/2016 07:22:54 pm

Hi Jennifer. That sounds intriguing. Do you have an example from experience that could show what that would look/sound/feel like in practice?

Kathryn Folkes

26/12/2016 07:24:03 pm

I really loved this and plan to share with my colleagues as my recent squirrel could be next year's strategy for success, but I need some time to chase it around the tree for a bit first ;-)

26/12/2016 07:25:07 pm

Thanks Kathryn. What great, evocative imagery! :)

Cath Norris

26/12/2016 07:26:32 pm

I've turned up to run training sessions, the squirrel clearly defined in my own mind, my process for supporting the group to explore and gain insight into the nature of the squirrel outlined in detail on my notes...and then...we do a check in and I smile to myself and put my notes away.

There's so much richness in what people bring to the check in. So much scope for starting right where people are. I find it irresistible! So I follow that, clarify the emergent themes and mood, trust where we're at and surprise, surprise, the squirrel is always present but in a way that we could never have imagined and it's needing to emerge in ways that we could never have planned for. Letting go of the plan can feel scary, the squirrel doesn't always initially appear in an obvious form, but if we trust that we are part of a unified field and are open to the signals in the field then we know that it'll always be there somehow, in some way.

26/12/2016 07:28:48 pm

Thanks Cath. The figural squirrel...or 'the squirrel in the room'. :)

Ryan Martin

26/12/2016 07:30:23 pm

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

26/12/2016 07:31:43 pm

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Kat Kohler Schwartz

30/12/2016 07:32:00 pm

Love your post! You provided a fun, but, needed reminder to all of us to keep the focus on what is important to our client; and, what is important to us to have a clear mind when guiding our clients. Filtering out all of the chatter in the mind takes time and alignment.

When we align our subconscious, conscious and unconscious mind, we are able to roll with our coaching with much more confidence, skill , and focus.

Thank you!

30/12/2016 07:34:17 pm

Thanks Kat! Your reflections on 'filtering out the chatter' reminded me of Timothy Gallwey's reflections on dealing with interference.

Kathy Igoe, BS, PCC

30/12/2016 07:35:09 pm

I like your article a lot. It reinforces agile performance management methodology - my focus of attention these days. We implemented a new performance management program that includes many aspects of coaching: agreement setting, co-creation of goals and action plans, accountability, etc... Set the plan and then monthly check-in to assess: where at with the plan, any changes needed based on current reality, for obstacles/resistance, receive support and challenge, and definitely celebrate successes!

30/12/2016 07:38:56 pm

Thanks Kathy. I think we can use the squirrel metaphor to introduce insights from Gestalt too. For instance, when co-creating goals, we can step back from the goals for a moment to reflect on, e.g. 'What is it about these goals that is holding our attention?', 'In focusing our attention on these goals, what are we not noticing?' etc.

Dr Wilfred Monteiro

30/12/2016 07:39:59 pm

In my coaching sessions with CEO and directors of the many family managed enterprises; i emphazie what I call the BI-FOCAL VISION . Leaders stick to the knitting (one more metaphor) keeping the operational and short term in focus and also do not suffer a BLINDSPOT...not looking at the broad picture or the blind curve called the FUTURE.

30/12/2016 07:41:50 pm

Hi Wilfred. I like the bifocal image. In my experience, it's multi-dimensional...but I'm not sure if multidimensional lenses exist (yet)!

Béatrice MELIN - PCC

30/12/2016 07:43:23 pm

Thanks a lot Nick for this Christmas reminder ;) nice way to remind us all with a metaphor that supervision is a must for professional coaches.

30/12/2016 07:44:22 pm

Thanks Béatrice...and a reminder that supervision is a professional must for supervisors..!

Alan Preen

30/12/2016 07:49:15 pm

Please let me in. I promise not to eat your wiring!

30/12/2016 07:50:21 pm

Hi Alan. It has that look on its face...but can you ever really trust a squirrel?

Laurie Malloy, ACC

2/1/2017 03:56:42 pm

Great perspective showing both sides of keeping focused!

2/1/2017 03:57:22 pm

Thanks Laurie! Yes, I think it's one of those both/and things.

Agnes Hautea Nano PCC,MSFP,CSFP

2/1/2017 03:58:07 pm

Appreciated the metaphor so much !It reminded me how I tried to stay focused when the coachee comes with a clear goal but has the tendency to be sidetracked a lot. I remember using a mindfulness technique and suggested we try something different.STOP. Stop what you are doing.Take a deep breathe. Observe what is happening around you. Proceed on the next possibility. This certainly helped the coachee slow down a bit and refocus on what is important for him in the session.

2/1/2017 04:02:22 pm

Thanks Agnes! 'Sidetracked' is an interesting phenomenon. It can be useful to signpost when you notice the client moving away from their original goal. This gives them choice - whether to return to their original goal or to formulate a new goal. STOP sounds like a very good way of approaching this.

Grace Davis, Ph.D

10/1/2017 08:55:26 am

Very nice shot.

10/1/2017 08:56:09 am

Hi Grace. The squirrel certainly doesn't appear camera shy. :)

Squirrel

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