Joy Wasted with KB Dickey

So, picture this – I’m at the grocery store, minding my own business, and I see this mom and her little one making their way towards the store. Now, bear with me; it’s a simple trip to grab some already prepared dinner (fried chicken, sushi, and potato au gratin, lol – don’t judge me), but what unfolded in those moments got me thinking.

As they approached, it became evident that the mom was on a mission, a grocery-getting mission, and she was moving at a pace that could rival an Olympic sprint. Here’s the kicker – her little one, this adorable tiny human, was doing their best to keep up. I’m talking about tiny legs moving at near superhuman speeds just to match mom’s stride. I swear to you that this child almost took flight!

Not once did the mom glance down to check on the little one. Not a single look to see if those little legs were hanging in there or if the poor soul was close to collapsing from exhaustion. The kiddo’s face told the tale of a struggle, but it seemed invisible to the mom who was locked into her mission.

Now, here’s the real talk. It hit me right there in the grocery store parking lot, amidst the hustle and bustle of carts and shoppers – leaders, we gotta pay attention (yes I meant gotta) to the pace we’re setting for those who trust us to lead them.

It’s not about sprinting ahead, leaving our tribe in the dust. Nope. It’s about being mindful, looking back, and checking in to make sure everyone is still with us. Sometimes, they’re struggling, trying to keep up, but they won’t say it. They won’t admit they’re near the point of collapse, either out of embarrassment or fear of being looked down upon.

That’s when the magic happens – the magic of “slow down to speed up.”

As leaders, we need to understand that not everyone is built for an Olympic sprint. Some need a bit more time, a bit more room to find their pace. So, we slow down. We adjust our speed, not because we’re losing the race, but because we’re making sure our tribe catches flame and catches up.

It’s a concept worth embracing – the art of slowing down to speed up. Sometimes, the fastest way forward is making sure everyone is on board and moving together.

So, as you lead your tribe, take a glance back. Check on your people. Make sure they’re not silently struggling, pushing themselves to the brink just to keep up. Slow down if you have to. In the end, the journey is sweeter when everyone crosses the finish line together.

Stay mindful, stay real, and keep leading with heart.

Cheers,
Joy Junkie