Purpose, perspective and a pandemic
This week our PrecisionLender team was supposed to be in Austin, TX for our 5th annual BankOnPurpose conference. BankOnPurpose is near and dear to my heart for many reasons and it’s something I feel honored to work on and give my energy to throughout the year.
I know in comparison to what others are going through it sounds trivial, but this week was hard. I couldn’t be in the place I wanted to be and doing the things I love with and for the people I was so excited to see.
Throughout this pandemic though, I’m seeing new ways to live in and lead from my purpose and I keep finding perspective along the way. This week was no different. Here’s why…
On Monday…
Leda Glyptis shared a post how one year ago about we were all together and building the tribe in Austin, TX. Leda spoke at BankOnPurpose last year and was awesome. She is someone that I (along with many, many others) admire for her wisdom, ambition, and get sh*t done mentality. Her note was a small, yet very meaningful message and reminder. While we are apart, we can still be together. And, let people know you are thinking about them.
On Tuesday…
I was taking a virtual yoga class (yes, this cardio junkie is turning into a yogi!) when the instructor shared an African Proverb,
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
I’ve had on my heart for a while that I’d like to start a women’s leadership group at work. This was another nudge on why I should make it happen. More to come!
Yesterday…
Doug Williams, Kurt Shreiner and Rich Oglesby from the Atlantic Capital Bank team were scheduled to take the stage at BankOnPurpose to lead a session on how purpose has fueled prosperity for their clients, shareholders, employees, and community. With having to cancel the event, we instead changed gears and hosted the session virtually with the help of former BankOnPurpose speaker, Lisa McLeod.
In listening to their story and how they’ve responded as a team to everything happening around us, it became even more clear the power of purpose. As Doug so eloquently and accurately shared,
Nothing like a crisis to clarify a picture.
Today…
As I started drafting this blog (ironically enough), I got a text from a friend’s mom who wanted to re-watch my purpose video from last year at BankOnPurpose. I was reminded that being brave and vulnerable doesn’t only help me grow. It helps others do the same. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving.
As the week comes to an end, I’m thankful. And as this pandemic continues, I will keep my eyes and heart open for glimmers of hope and perspective.
As Nick Craig recently shared with me,
Who we are is far more important than our circumstances.
