Thursday, March 11, 2010

Billboard Philosophy












I happened to notice this quotation by Alfred Lord Tennyson (from his Locksley Hall) on an unassuming billboard at the International Airport in Auckland, New Zealand.

As I read the verses in my mind, I felt that it reminded me of my recent Ironman triathlon in Lake Taupo. Each line seemed to resonate with my experiences of race week, and thereafter.

Think about it - if you begin noticing things around you, you may consider the power of details in observation. The fictitious character, Sherlock Holmes was acutely observant about little things. The devil is in the details, so it is said.

Until we have cast our eyes above us, and seen the splendour of a star-studded sky, do we see the beauty of the night. Certainly, if our sky is filled with clouds and haze our observation has to shift perspective and purpose to be able to capture the myriad details present, but hidden from sight. Have you ever described clouds as familiar objects? The maiden and the rabbit on the bright face of the moon, is one centuries-old example. Tennyson saw magic sails, pilots and costly bales.

If we focused on dysfunction, disappointment and dissent in our teams we may sabotage our efforts to focus on things we can be grateful for with our members. Instead, by focusing on the collective intelligence, efforts and results of projects gone well, we can appreciate more of each person and the value they bring to the team.

What do you relate with/to in Tennyson's poem?

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