Today is my first day emerged from the protective wing (and in some contexts the dark shadow) of Maricopa. Some things are private, others are personal, and still others are public. If you’ve come looking for the tell-all inside scoop, well… sorry to disappoint. For one thing it will take some time to process the complicated nature of my experience there and for another it isn’t in my nature to indiscriminately dish the dirt. What is worth talking about, I think, is what comes with the chance to begin (a little older and hopefully a little wiser) at a new place that is likely more complicated with probably more opportunity to make a difference. What to do? How to do it?

All I know at this point is that it is a little embarrassing to realize my brain has started to speak “spreadsheet”. I’m developing a mental matrix with several columns, i.e. what am I proud of, what didn’t work, ways I won’t change, and ways I hope to change. I’ve got columns now all I need is some rows.

One thing that may have been misunderstood by some is optimism and vision. People value honesty, and when I spoke as a leader that I foresaw things getting better it probably rang hollow for some. When your organization is going through turmoil and you choose to envision (and declare) that the future looks bright you run the risk of losing some of your audience. Going forward I know my optimism won’t change because that’s a core value for me. I believe attitude creates reality… not in the face of all obstacles mind you… but in a situation that is ambiguous if you choose the positive interpretation then you get the positive reality. While my optimism won’t change I do hope to get better at separating the vision statements from reports being interpreted as dishonesty or delusion. There is lots more to think about…