Is stuck in the middle so bad?

As we embark on 2025, my goal for the year is to stay stuck in the middle.

Sounds uninspiring I know, but it isn't a lack of ambition that is pulling me there.

You see I feel like in 2024 (and frankly in the few years beforehand), we have seen more and more organizations and individuals meet self-inflicted impediments. The volume of their conviction and self belief has been tuned so high, that they can't hear the benefit that humility can bring. The humility to listen and adapt.

With it, the drone might not have been packed for the trip, leadership change may have happened with more lead time before the election, and the line changes might have started before the final game.

But instead, it was is only when the alarm bells to revisit direction and methodology were set off by public controversy that they finally heard. And by then it was too late to take the learning in stride and rather a great reset was required.

And so I commit to harnessing conviction and self belief for the good energy and momentum it can provide, but not so much that I don't retain the humility to be open to adjustments and alterations along the way. I will stay stuck in the middle on the spectrum of conviction.

But here's the trick; not so much that I will pursue change no matter the context.

Rather, I will also stay stuck in the middle of the spectrum of change.

Too often change for the sake of change ignores that value of what is. Change can certainly be good and indeed having the humility to consider change is a core ingredient to great. But you may also be pleasantly surprised by how good you've got it when you take a moment to appreciate your immediate circle.

And that is the great risk of the inevitable momentum and collective encouragement to pursue change and betterment. That we neglect to acknowledge that with a little care and watering, an unloved and existing opportunity can grow.

All that said, the lofty goals of staying stuck in the middle of the spectrums of conviction and change are not the end of my ambition for the year.

I also want to compromise.

I want to enhance my ability to hear arguments, methodology, and approaches that I disagree with and/or might not have considered. Because somewhere in the middle, is likely a remarkable opportunity I might never have otherwise come across.

The magic of compromise is the ability to tap into the intelligence and perspective from a variety of angles. As opposed to being narrowcast in the assumption as to where the solution or opportunity may come from.

Keeping both conviction and change in moderation, and the pursuit of more compromise.

Admittedly not the catchiest of tag lines or pep talks, but here's to a 2025 that benefits from hard lessons learned.

#DoneDifferently #2025Resolutions #CompromiseCanBeGood