Conversation 7: Embracing Our Zones of Genius
Welcome back to the 8 Conversations for Shared Leadership series. In our last post, we discussed how to navigate conflict. This time, let’s learn how to embrace our zones of genius.
Have you ever worked on something so joyfully that time just slipped by? You might recognize that feeling as the "flow state," where work seamlessly emerges from someplace deep inside you.
You might call that your "Zone Of Genius." (Don’t worry; you can have more than one.)
One of mine is group facilitation.
I know this because whenever I’m in a room with people (even virtually), holding space for them feels fun and easy. Time slips away until I can't tell you whether it’s been five minutes or several hours.
Whether you know your zones of genius already or you’re not sure what I mean, it’s time to talk about moving towards the work where we shine brightest.
When we commit to co-creation, we consciously resist the individualist "do-it-yourself" narrative.
Shared power is not only an invitation to share the workload; it’s also an invitation to co-lead in ways that highlight every team member’s unique gifts.
This can be challenging, particularly if we have been socialized to feel like we have to do everything ourselves (whether we’re good at those things or not). But when we work from our strengths and invite others to fill in the gaps with theirs, we all move forward with a greater sense of ease and purpose.
Gay Hendricks says we’re in the "genius zone" when:
We’re doing the things we love to do;
We’re speaking honestly and listening mindfully in our relationships;
We’re committing (& recommitting!) ourselves to expressing our creativity daily.
That’s how we know when we’re using our unique gifts to make a positive impact in the world.
Prompts for Conversation #7
You can use these prompts to inspire and expand the conversations you’re having within your team environment:
What type of work energizes me?
What work do I do now that drains my energy?
How can I do more of what gives me energy and delegate or redesign the rest?
Our team at Freedom Lifted uses the Kolbe A assessment to help us learn more about our zones of genius. This assessment helps us examine how we instinctively take action and execute when we’re striving.
My Kolbe A assessment is 5-7-4-3, which indicates that my go-to way of doing is to "systematize."
The summary of my results explains that I consistently excel at designing efficient systems to integrate effectively and sequentially. Plus, I’m "a natural at assuring smooth transitions, filtering out extraneous matters, and bringing order out of chaos." I think this confirms why I enjoy group facilitation so much.
Check out my conversation on Zones of Genius with my dear friend Lewis Raven Wallace on Episode 6 of the Shared Power Podcast.
Up next is Conversation 8: Following Through.
You can download the infographic of the 8 essential conversations to share with co-leaders.
Be sure to listen to season one of our Shared Power Podcast to learn more about the conversations, why I believe they are key to advancing justice, and ways to apply them to our work and movements.
Learn more about Mia’s facilitation offerings based on the eight conversations.