Walking Stick Wisdom:Embracing Support to Lead with Resilience

The other day, Rachel sent me a text with a picture of an elderly couple taking a stroll. They both had walking sticks, and she included a message: "Someday this will be us with massive walking sticks."

Without really thinking, I quickly replied, "Yep, sadly." My first thought went straight to the challenges of aging.

But then Rachel responded with a perspective that caught me off guard: "I was looking at it as they're still out there active and walking, even though they're using sticks for balance."

It hit me how easy it is to focus on the negatives and miss the real message. That couple wasn’t just getting by, they were thriving and finding ways to stay active, even with a little extra support.

This moment reminded me that leadership is often about shifting our mindset. It's about seeing the possibilities where others might only see problems. The real strength isn't in avoiding the need for support - it's in embracing it, learning from it, and continuing to move forward...no matter what.

So here’s to those "walking sticks" in our lives - those moments, people, and tools that help us stay balanced and on track. Leadership isn’t about avoiding the challenges - it’s about recognizing the strength we gain from them and pushing ahead.

Just something to think about.