Until We Meet Again...

Postponing an adventure while in the midst of the journey can be a decision fraught with uncertainty. Recently, a client and I arrived at the mutual conclusion that it wasn't the right time for their organization to continue their journey. It was a difficult decision to make, but the organization is going through a major transition and the team members are struggling with the changes. As a Sherpa, I sensed something was going on, but couldn't put my finger on it. The "somethings" included:

• Removing individuals from the journey

• Lack of response via email and phone

• Lack of knowledge within the organization regarding the activities of each other

• Failure to complete practice to be done between treks

• Cancelling scheduled meetings

Back in my controlling days, I would have been quite upset at this disruption of my life. And to be frank, I got a little angry when I didn't receive a call or email cancelling a meeting.

But very soon I realized that that everyone in the organization was undergoing something very challenging and tough - the dreaded "R" word: Reorganization. My Sherpa-sense was tingling as I intuited that things might get challenging. So, I began to prepare myself mentally for the unknown that lay ahead.

As a Sherpa, my job is to help the journey continue, even when it is stalled. I reminded them to contact me to reschedule meetings when needed. I encouraged them to work on their internal issues before seeing me, so that they could better communicate with each other as well as with me. And above all, I tried to help them deal with the changes they were experiencing as we continued to build the database.

Yet with all my encouragement, accommodation and support, an overwhelming sense of dread permeated every conversation. So at the start of our last trek, I let them talk about their progress - and everyone reported that they were behind. Very, very behind. I even heard, "I'm so behind that I don't even want to think about it. I haven't done anything with this project." That was my cue to gently guide them away from this journey for the time being and let them work out their internal changes.

So, while each expressed that they felt torn, and their collective belief that the database they were creating would relieve the pressure they were feeling, they also realized that they didn't have the time or energy to devote to the journey. As we talked, we came to a collective understanding that although they are eager to learn and grow, it would be best to put the journey on hold for a few months.

At the end of our conversation, I sensed a collective sign of relief, like an out breath after you've been holding your breath for a while. It made my heart lighter. The journey hasn't been cancelled, merely rescheduled.

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