Advice to Handle Change from Charlie

We talked last week about change. The world is changing quickly and as business leaders we need to facilitate change quicker than the world around us. The phrase from Yvon that has stuck with me most: “Adapt or die!”

When I sit with my thoughts (true test of sanity) sometimes it makes me anxious… paranoia kicks in:

Am I doing enough?

What are my blind spots?

Am I going too fast or not fast enough?

Am I even able to do what needs to be done?

The world is changing, competitors are changing… giddy up!

As leaders, the path forward is not well lit. Studying the lives of others is one of the greatest forms of leverage. Reading about the lives of others allows us to live more than just our life!

I stumbled into a book about a man who thrived through the change of the world from 1900-2010.

This generous book, The Book Of Charlie,  was written by David Von Drehle capturing the wisdom of Charlie who lived to 109 years old. Charlie went from horse drawn carriages to airplanes filling the skies. From women being forbidden to vote to women running nations and corporations. From no footprints on the North or South pole to footprints on the moon!

Holy smokes, that’s a lot of change!

As leaders we are seeking to carry forward teams to thrive and adapt amidst the chaotic world around us.

How did Charlie do it!?

As Charlie’s life was coming to a close at the age of 108, he wrote down over a page of notes about his philosophy of life.

Here are some of the lines on his notepad:

Think freely.

Practice patience.

Smile often.

Savor special moments.

Feel deeply.

Observe miracles.

Make them happen.

Be soft sometimes.

Cry when you need to.

Make some mistakes.

Learn from them.

Work hard.

Spread joy.

Take a chance.

Enjoy wonder.

Wow. There is so much humanity and richness in his reflection of life. His words pierce through the chaos. His words are like a light in a dark room for me.

David, the author, ends the book: “How does one thrive through a maelstrom of change? By standing on ground that is permanent.”

How does an organization measure in centuries? By upholding values.

What an incredible week we have in front of us to work hard and spread joy!

Onward,

Matt