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Hi Reader, Welcome to Your Dose of Mana — a quick, weekly note with: If your biggest business challenges are actually people challenges, you’re in the right place. 1 Real Story On my last trip to Seattle, Bruce and I were out hiking and somehow ended up talking about spirituality. Not religion exactly. More spirituality, meaning, connection, that sort of thing. I wasn’t raised with much discussion around any of it, so it’s not a framework I naturally gravitate to. Bruce, on the other hand, likes to explore those ideas more and frequently challenges me into conversations I wouldn’t initiate. Somewhere along the trail, he asked me what my spirit animal was. I answered immediately. “Giraffe.” No hesitation. He laughed and asked why. “Well,” I said playfully, “I have a long neck and long legs. I don’t generally have a purple or split tongue. I certainly don’t speak in tongues. But I am a bit awkward when I drink, as I’ve been known to dribble occasionally. That’s why I don’t like ice in my water.
Yet, I like to think of myself as elegant when I’m moving, even if that’s not everyone’s reality.” This absolutely cracked him up. Uh, rude. I mean, I was making a highly sophisticated spiritual observation. Mostly. But if you know me, and you think about it, you’ll realize the giraffe actually does fit. Maybe that’s why I’ve always liked giraffes. They somehow embody both awkwardness and grace simultaneously. They look vaguely ridiculous bending down to drink water, like evolution was experimenting without OSHA concerns. But then they run, and suddenly they’re beautiful. Ok, I’m not beautiful when I run. Think more baby elephant, but not as cute. Ah, I digress. The giraffe’s combination of traits has always resonated with me. Because honestly? Much of life feels that way. There are moments where we feel awkward, uncertain, exposed, off-balance, or deeply uncoordinated in whatever chapter we’re in. And then there are moments when we move through the world with confidence, ease, and strength. Most of us are both. At different times. 1 Leadership Insight I think many leaders spend too much time trying to eliminate every trace of awkwardness. We want polish. But leadership is often awkward in real time. Giving difficult feedback. None of that feels elegant while it’s happening. And awkwardness is not failure. Sometimes awkwardness is simply what growth looks like before it becomes fluid. The leaders I trust most are not the ones pretending to glide effortlessly through every situation. They’re the ones willing to wobble a little while they learn. 1 Practical Take Away Think about the places in your life where you currently feel awkward, uncomfortable, or uncertain. Now ask yourself: What if this isn’t evidence that I’m failing? What if I’m simply in the “giraffe bending down to drink water” stage of the process? Grace and awkwardness are not opposites. Sometimes they exist together. 1 Dose of Art A little whimsy. A little joy. A little doodle.
Doodle by Gary Schechner, 5/20/26 Even though this is a “mass email” I mean it when I say—let me know what you are up to. Reply, book a Zoom, pick up the phone. I’d love to catch up. If people issues are slowing down your business, let’s fix that. Thanks for letting me show up in your inbox. More joy. Less friction. Always. |