Around us each day are little and great possibilities for wonder that we tend to overlook. They could be human inventions or astounding natural wonders. We rush through life and zoom through our routines, and we miss out on the pleasure of noticing interesting and beautiful things. We miss out on wonder.
Captured by busyness or by wonder?
Wonder means to get caught up in the amazement of something. In today’s culture, its easy to get captured by the busyness of life: the popularity and status of your position, getting things done, interminable meetings, the stream of emails, and similar things.
But do you stop and marvel about how amazing things are?
When was the last time you got up close to a lizard or flower and intentionally studied it?
When was the last time you marveled at the buds coming alive in early spring?
When was the last time you looked deeply into your beloved's eyes and saw the flame of love burning brightly in them?
When was the last time you truly listened to the ideals and dreams of your young son or daughter?
When was the last time you really noticed how good your receptionist was at making your job easier?
When was the last time you even considered the great job your cleaning crew did making things shine around you?
Wonder is that moment when you are filled with admiration, amazement, or awe. Like watching a magnificent sunset by Venice’s Grand Canal. Like seeing your child take her first hesitant steps. Like walking into the boardroom for the first time after being named President of your company. Like seeing the first perfect sample of the product your team has been working on for the past 3 months. Like experiencing the energy and creativity in an innovation session you are leading.
Wonder is seeing with fresh eyes. Like my friend Steve, who felt powerless when it seemed that his organization was disintegrating around him. For him, seeing with new eyes meant to stop running around in desperation and asking instead: What if my company were no more, and I was walking here today for the first time, trying to create a new company? How would it look? What would I do first? How could I make it profitable? Once he could see in a new way, he was able to lead a very successful transformation.
Wonder is a feeling of surprised or puzzled interest, sometimes tinged with admiration. Not your regular jaded cynical view from the top. An openness to explore new thoughts and ideas. To speculate with curiosity.
“Why should I waste time staring at lizards, or sunsets? Why should a stop and notice mundane things?” you chide. “I have too many other things demanding my attention.” It is in your best interest! Here is why.
Benefits of rediscovering wonder
The 2011 TED conference, which brings together billionaires and bloggers, neuroscientists and artists, big names and less-well-known innovators, kicked off Monday in Long Beach, California.
The theme for this year's week-long conference is "the rediscovery of wonder." How appropriate and timely! While reading comments and reports, and watching a few videos, I kept thinking why leaders need to rediscover wonder. Why is wonder worth your time? Consider the following:
- Wonder feeds your soul. You feed your brain junk food all the time: tidbits of radio news, dumbed-down TV shows, quick online tips. Taking time to wonder is like giving a juicy red apple to your mind and soul.
- Wonder reduces stress. As a leader you face stressful situations all day long. Wonder takes your mind off stressors and focuses it on something positive. Wonder energizes you. It brings a smile to your face. Your heart will rejoice and bring calm to you.
- Wonder teaches problem-solving skills. Wondering helps you to find solutions. It sparks curiosity. It opens your mind to think: What if. . .?
- Wonder teaches how to value and practice creativity. At its core, creativity is making something special out of a limited number of supplies. Think about it: All inventions and innovations start with wonder.
- Wonder bonds people together with shared discoveries. If you are learning together, you always have something interesting to talk about and unify your organization.
I remember the first time I stood to lead a crowd of 5,000 youth in exploring the wonder of relationships. It was before iPhones and iPads, twitter and facebook. Therefore it was more difficult to be interactive. But I knew I could not “lecture” them, or I would lose them.
How much fun it was to discover together, to ask questions, to let them discuss in small clusters, pass microphones around and listen to their ideas. The level of energy in the big conference room was wonderful. And the wonder of it was that what we created together was much better than anything I could have come up with on my own.
I’m sure you can also remember your first experiences as a leader. Your enthusiasm, idealism, willingness to explore and ask questions. Please, keep alive the freshness of wonder! Start each day with new eyes, Look for the small wonders in your organization. Discover what you can be surprised about. Share your puzzlement and curiosity. Learn something new each day!
If you need inspiration, look everyday for something in nature that you can wonder about. The song of a bird, a drop of dew in the light of the sun, and eagle flying majestically on top of the trees, the smell of fresh rain in a thirsty land, a fresh blanket of snow, the first colors of autumn, the first flowers of srping. . . you get the idea.
Then take those awakened feelings and eyes inside of your leadership role and look for opportunities to wonder anew.
What do you think?
Remember a moment in your leadership when you experienced wonder. Share with us the wonder of that experience and what made it so awesome.
Photo: Biscarotte