“‘Cause I’m as free as a bird nowAnd this bird you cannot change!”
– L.S., 1973
Ever been attacked by a falcon?
They are magnificent hunters; fast, powerful, sleek…
And hungry.
[I didn’t learn this from a book, unfortunately].
Last summer I was out for a run, taking a break from a massive client proposal.
Like my strategy at the time, I wasn’t fully focused, bouncing between
Lessons learned, budget meetings, and decisions I needed to make tomorrow.
Yesterday and tomorrow.
Then—WHAM!
[Think 1963 Fantastic Four comic book kind of WHAM]
Something slammed into my right shoulder, paused,
Then flew off into the trees.
I stopped, gathering myself,
Realizing that at that moment, a falcon has mistaken the bright orange tab on my pack*
for something edible.
I paused, checked my pack, checked my shoulder,
Thankfully realizing that neither was on the menu,
And listened to a seemingly disappointed rustle amongst the trees behind me.
[Or whatever the falcon equivalent of disappointment would be]
After determining I wasn’t at risk for round 2
I started running again.
But I couldn’t shake the thought that the falcon, however misguided,
Had just reminded me where I was in that moment.
On a trail, my first concerns are what’s in front and behind:
tree roots, rocks, and snakes – ahead
bikers, unleashed dogs, and storms – behind.
[Maybe I need a safer trail.]
The same goes for Strategy.
Many of us are trained to be vigilant for what’s in front:
market shifts, competitors, new technologies,
And never forget what’s behind:
wins, losses, lessons learned, and trust.
But it’s important not to forget
to pay attention to the present,
So WHAM,
Something unexpected doesn’t hit us from above,
[And I’m never gonna dance again]
Sure, strategy is what I’ve learned from where I’ve been,
how I’m planning for what’s ahead,
and how well-prepared I am in this moment.
But those last-minute surprises are excellent reminders,
Where I am, what this moment requires.
Then I adjust my hat, check my shoes, and keep running.
*And no, I
don’t wear that pack anymore.
