Extrovert Reawakened

This week, two years ago in March 2022 the world shut down because of Covid-19. As the pandemic took over our world, we all retreated. Over the last two years, I have convinced myself that I’m not really an extrovert anymore. At first, I appreciated the quiet of isolation. I started to wonder if going back into large groups and working in person with teams would feel awkward and be draining.

Well, today I had an experience that made me realize that my extroverted self has been laying dormant; wintering in a way. It hasn’t left me it was simply on pause. I got to work with an organization and their leadership team. We started our work virtually over the last few months so today was the first time we all met in person. It was amazing!

I felt extra animated. I could feel and see the emotional field and the relational dynamics in a way that was so much more textured and alive. I witnessed the in between chats that happen when people are together. People told stories and played off each other in a way that flowed. Personalities were revealed and the relationship dynamics became clear. It was energizing and fun and so much more fluid. It’s like the pandemic time has been in black and white and today, I rediscovered the beauty and vibrancy of technicolour.

Driving home, I felt a buzz that only comes when I am in connection with people. Having had to limit this part of myself for two long years it feels so good to be back in connection. I am so ready to shift from socially distanced to socially reconnected. My extroverted self is back, fully alive, with new dimensions that have been quietly percolating during this pandemic time.

Once Upon a Horizon

Once upon a time, in the year 2005, there was a woman who had an opportunity to take a career pause. After 20 years of working in the field of philanthropy an arc ended and time was granted to stop, reflect and to dream.

The time granted space to ponder about what was fulfilling and to unfold ideas on a way to serve that would bring a new evolution of meaning. It was an opportunity to release things that did not serve or inspire any more.

From the quiet, a vision started to bloom. It was time to create something of her own making. It was time to honour the yearning for autonomy, creativity, courage, connectedness, purposeful growth, and leadership.

The concept was simple – birth a business that would help eliminate the loneliness of leadership. She knew what it was like to be lonely and vulnerable as a leader. She vowed that no leader would walk alone.

The pivot required new learning…lots of it. The door opened to the world of professional coaching and she found her way into amazing learning communities. A series of certifications deepened her new skills and awoke a passion for coaching executives, leaders and teams.

The business found its name – Horizon Leadership. She knew that a leaders work is a combination of visioning forward and creating conditions for people to flourish. She also knew that leaders need a safe place to pause and cultivate the art of presencing – intentional moments to quiet and listen – to grow with intention in readiness of the journey ahead.

Today, this woman is reflecting on 16 years of doing the work that is her calling. The gratitude for those who have trusted her on the journey is immense. The collaboration with talented people from around the world has been such a gift. The affirmation that this is the path she was meant to walk is heart filling.

The horizon is vast. There is more to contribute. Today, she is casting her vision into the future, imagining the emerging possibilities and where else purposeful pivots will serve.

Reflections on the founding story of Horizon Leadership on its 16th anniversary.