Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine | Page 20
SOLUTIONS
From Creative People
How To Change Galaxies
Recent
Athena Award winner and executive director of Lighthouse Christian
Ministries (LCM), Erika Steele, transitioned from one business world to another that
was almost antithetical to the first. Moving from an international megacorporation
where employees see posted daily the company’s stock value to a small town, faithbased nonprofit would seem like travelling across the universe from one galaxy to
another. Being able to adapt and apply skills across change requires the attributes
of creativity, including focus, discipline, openness and application of experiences to
the development of ideas.
Everyone faces times when they “change galaxies.” It may be a major geographical
change, health transition, relationship loss, career field shift (by choice or demand)
or job role change; the place you were and the place you are going to are completely
different in myriad ways. Erika’s lessons apply.
Learn - “I value education so I read and learned everything I could to see what this ministry was about,” she
said. She sought knowledge about the work of the organization, the realities of nonprofit management and
leadership, and the lives of people who need the services of LCM. “I still commit 10-15 hours per month to
learning about nonprofit management, the community we serve and leadership,” she said.
Listen - Listening is a critical skill when facing significant changes. Erika said that listening played an important
role during the early transition, and still does on a daily basis. She can better understand, serve and lead by
listening to others, to her calling and to her heart. Listening enables a person to become immersed in their
new place and role, while also keeping focused on their purpose and motivation.
Connect - The previous two steps enable connection. Connect to those you serv e, those who serve with
you, the community and the organization’s purpose. No matter what significant change has transported you
from one “galaxy” to another, the ability to connect to others and to your focus will make the transition one
of empowerment instead of frustration.
Apply - “I love engineering. I was trained as engineer. Engineering is about using information you have and
determining what information you need to solve a problem or manage a project. That’s what I do in the
nonprofit world every day. Being a mom requires the ability to go with the flow. I do that every day at work,
too.” You can connect your old galaxy to your new one by applying anew the experiences, wisdom, knowledge
and skills from your past situation.
Major changes in jobs, relationships or health can give you the feeling that you’ve entered the Twilight Zone.
Adapt and achieve when you learn, listen, connect and apply.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“See differently, change perspectives and grow authentically,” is the motto and brand message of Empowered
Creativity Institute. Find new ways of seeing your abilities, your services and your market so that you can grow
yourself and your business.
Creative Solutions From Creative People
By Dion McInnis, Empowered Creativity Institute
[email protected]
20
MOMENTUM / Summer 2016