I had the brilliant opportunity of attending the 2014 Charity Awards. It is a great place to meet old friends and to make new ones. This year was no exceptions. I have enough hugs to take me into 2015! The ice on the cake was meeting 19 year old Jermain Jackman, Winner of TheVoiceUK 2014. I was a massive supporter of Jermain and relented after 10 years to cast as many votes as I could for him to win. I told him this and got rewarded with a warm hug. What a surprise! In addition to having a great voice, he comes across as such a warm and inspiring person with an amazing presence.
So what do we do when we come across these unexpected happenings? I found myself tongue tied, happy and excited all at the same time. And I am aware I am not a teenager. Happily, I was able to string some words together sensibly and got a lovely photograph to mark the occasion.
Back to those opportunities in our environment, in our organisations, in our boards, when we work with staff and volunteers. Do we recognise them? Do we grasp them or sometimes do we just let them slip by?
Great leadership and strategy design is not just to look out for the threats and challenges, but to seize opportunities when and as they arise – in an informed way of course, because we can’t take on everything. The challenge then becomes one of knowing which ones to take on and which to leave behind without any regrets. Good luck on your journey!