#4: Why True Leaders are Able to Bridge to HOW WE COULD

The Carvery with Alex Dorr

I have become more and more fascinated with this idea of being a bridge as a leader. The bridge can first be taken personally when you are asked to evolve or step up in your career. The bridge can be in moments when you are able to take the energy away from whey we can't and get it refocused on how we could. Many times the bridge can be where you act as a connector between two mindsets to bring compassion to either side that may be judging the other and not helping.

In your career, you will face many of these bridge moments. Some will feel like you are actually crossing a milestone or a physical bridge into a new identity. Most others, will involve you bridge-building in the moment with your teams, in meetings or in one-on-one conversations.

I really think you're going to love this one and I'd love to hear the places you are seeing these 'being a bridge' moments coming up and how you are taking them or avoiding them. Awareness is 90% of the battle with this one.

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So, if you are someone who is:

• Going through that transition of being a doer to more of a leader
• Often feeling like you are seeing more opportunities for kindness and benefit of the doubt at work
• Trying to be more helpful than judgmental each day
• Hoping to manage energy better when teams are getting into negativity or why we can't

Then this is the podcast for you! And also, be sure to pass this along to your teams to be able to discuss.

Here's the blog that inspired today's podcast below:

Title: The Bridge

There is a nudge in everyone's career where you can do what I call:

- Take the bridge

- Avoid the bridge

or

- Choose to become the bridge

Avoiding the bridge means you stay where you are. You skip the personal evolution opportunities in your career often times fueling drama and sticking with those that find "joy" by being disengaged at work. It becomes the all-too-common 'us vs. them' situation.

'Us' ends up being people that think like you and 'them' being the decision-makers that just don't consult you in the organization you work for. You bond with this group on one side of the bridge.

Across the bridge is a group that has chosen a different approach. They are all-in committed to the company they work for. This group is trying to make a difference each day with the resources they have even in spite of challenging circumstances. This side of the bridge is where visionaries get together and talk about what we are trying to create for those they serve through their organization and how they can get there.

Each side of the bridge actually feels like indigestion to the other side. The same discussions, energy and work environment aren't preferred by these two groups.

So the question becomes - which side leads to more happiness and results in the long term? This is a personal choice for all of us. My invitation is to choose wisely.

Then, there is a select group that has the power to act as a bridge themselves. This is the magic of a true Reality-Based leader.

They can seemingly live with a foot on both sides at the same time if needed, without judgment of either side. This person is a mindset-shifter and energy manager. One that can act as a bridge doesn't people-please to fit in on either side.

They understand that, as a bridge, they exist to gently ensure our visionary, high-accountables in our organization don't get righteous and judgmental of the other side. Simultaneously, they offer those on the side of the bridge choosing disengagement and halted evolution plenty of calls to greatness and invitations to consider a mindset 'how we could' given the circumstances we may be facing.

Many are unaware that 'the bridge' exists as a role to play and a valuable one at that. It's easier to pick a side and represent it and disconnect from the other. "I'm the highly accountable one, they're not" or "Look at those over-achievers over there."

Many stuck in disengagement and resistance will not take the bridge to the other side. Whether it is fear of losing an identity or the camaraderie they've built with similar mindsets on that side. The lesson for all of us is you can only work with the willing.

So notice which side of the bridge you are consistently on at the moment. Is disengagement in your current work situation calling you to consider testing the other side - even for a small period of time?

And for those of you who've been on this journey with me for a while that are now all-in and highly-accountable, practicing drama diffusing and energy management each day - it is time to step into the role of the bridge. Wholeheartedly.

We could all use more bridges out there.

-Alex 🚪

I'd love to continue the discussion, hear your responses to the content or read/listen to how you build on these ideas on any of the platforms below:

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Let's keep ditching the drama, my people.