Long before my workshop with Mark Thurston and learning what my soul purpose was, I got guidance on how to live it. The elements that supported my living it consistently came through a synchronicity.
Through “coincidence”, I was able to hostess a private breakfast with the wise septuagenarian, Dr. Margaret Mead. This pioneering cultural anthropologist, whose field work methodology established new norms in the field, was a font of wisdom, insight, and information. At the time, I was a community college administrator – Associate Dean – leading a large department with 150+ instructors and 4,500 enrollees. I was being “Superwoman” — overachieving, innovating and disrupting the field.
At breakfast, Dr. Mead was warm, engaged and direct.
“What did you do before this, Teri?” she asked me.
“I was a white water guide.”
“What happened to that?”
“I didn’t make enough money, and I had to pay the bills.”
‘How long have you been here, doing this?”
“Two and a half years.”
“Why haven’t you quit?”
When my surprise abated, I responded, “I’d like to, but everyone advises me to stay because I’ll never find another job as good as this one, especially with as much job security. Very few women do this well, especially at my age.”
Dr. Mead then gave me the best life / career counseling I have ever received. She explained the three types of leaders: Creators, Remodelers, and Maintainers.
* Creators are visionaries. They imagine things and create them from scratch. They create art, build houses, start new programs, found new companies, etc. They are good in one position for up to two and a half years. If they stay longer, they can become ineffective. They burn out, get bored, and / or “stir the pot,” creating and replacing. more. (I created
* Remodelers rework something already in existence — restructuring, revitalizing, renewing, They remodel houses, reorganize departments, revitalize staff. Like Creators, they are good in one position for up to two and a half years. If they stay longer, they can become ineffective. They burn out, get bored, and / or “stir the pot”, remodeling what may not need to be remodeled. (I synthesized various elements from different fields to create the Change Your Mind theta brave wave program – a FIRST of it’s kind: I have remodeled every house I’ve owned: I revitalize organizations).
* Maintainers keep things going the way they are. They repaint their houses the same color, keep systems in place and follow procedures. They are good in one position as long as it doesn’t change too much. They are excellent at maintaining goals standards: they are not effective in setting and achieving NEW goals and standards.
As a Remodeler, I was becoming dissatisfied and ineffective in my dean’s position. I wasn’t getting a new position, so there wasn’t anything new to create. I had set the world on fire for two and a half years. I had topped out. To everyone’s amazement, I resigned. It felt joyful to leave for “no good reason,” without bitterness, rationalization, or fear of making the wrong decision. It was simply time for a new adventure. I started a short-lived career as an adventure travel writer, then returned to school for my PhD. Then moved to Alaska. Then…. kept creating adventures. I have never had the same position for two and a half years since!
A Maintainer PR professional once counseled me that I had a low self image and felt undeserving. When I asked what he saw that led to these conclusions, he responded I was self destructive. When I asked what he saw that led to that conclusion, he responded I built up things and then left without reaping the rewards. Wow. What an interesting perspective. For a maintainer, doing the “building / remodeling” and then leaving when things are going smoothly is punishing. To a Remodeler, building / remodeling is rewarding. Staying to maintain a smooth flow is punishing.
REFLECT:
Think about your style and the style of your family members and team members. How do your different styles create conflict?
My gratitude to Dr. Mead is infinite. I have never looked back with self-doubt, guilt or remorse. When I am asked to lead as an internal consultant – working for the organization – I state up front I won’t be a long term employee. Living my spiritual purpose – I AM JOY – requires newness and adventure and innovation – regularly. I’m not as effective as a Creator, and I can’t be JOY as a maintainer. A Priceless Insight!
For instance, when the statewide Civil Rights Division for the Department of Transportation failed the federal audit for the third time, I was asked to come in as Director and turn it around. If they didn’t pass the next audit, federal funds would be withheld (@$8 million).
However, during contract negotiations, engineer maintainer supervisor wouldn’t accept a renewable one year contract. He insisted on a multi-year contract and commitment. After many long discussions with ZERO movement on his part, I asked if he was OK with me staying until the Division was operating to federal standards and guaranteed to pass the audit. He laughed, agreed, and said I was going to with them a long time to get that done. I then got him to agree I could choose my replacement with his approval.
I met his conditions in 4 1/2 months and replaced myself with a Maintainer Department employee that was highly effective and well respected. The Division continued to operate – maintained – at the same high level until the employee retired. Joyfully, I moved on to another Division that was flunking the federal audits and at risk for losing @$67 million. I stayed there less than 2 1/2 years!
As a professor of graduate leadership studies, I have academic freedom. That means as long as I “maintain” the course objectives, I can “remodel” the content and requirements. The same is true for my Master Classes. And blogging is about combining information perspectives, approaches, insights. Plus I am rehabbing a Tiny House two blocks from the ocean. All of these activities support my living my purposes:
Professional / Personality: Change the World: One Leader at a Time
Spiritual / Soul: BEJOY.
APPLY:
Determine your Mead leadership style.
Plan how you can plan your professional life to support your style.
