After ten months of intensive work, my committee and I made the heartbreaking decision to halt work on our SHIFT Business Conference.
What was remarkable was how three professionals with completely different backgrounds, skill sets and personalities managed to find a way to work together in a constructive manner. We had to learn about each other's communication styles and thought processes and find a way to move forward together. Which we did...successfully.
The powerful dynamics within the group led to some mind stretching conversations and sharing of information. Over countless cups of tea, coffee and of course snacks, we learned about each other and our various connections, communities and businesses. We found out what was important to each other in how we helped others achieve their goals and contribute towards community sustainability. It was in helping others build that we found our common ground and were able to move forward to build the structure of our offering.
Although we decided not to proceed, much of what was needed was in place with countless reports and written structured plans with detailed steps, albeit with a few gaps which we proceeded to fill. What was interesting were the reactions when we 'went public' outside the inner circle to fill those gaps. It's amazing how many people had an opinion based on little information or understanding outside their areas of expertise. If it scared them they were negative.
I wish I could sit down with those people and show them exactly what had been built thus far. I wish I could show people who have a specific skill set that other skill sets come into play in solving problems and an appreciation and willingness to collaborate can move mountains.
