The San Francisco Marathon just postponed its July event. (Insert sad face)
As a runner and pre-registered participant, I thought: What the heck? It's only the beginning of March! Why would they do this? Surely we will be vaccinated by then...I was really looking forward to it...
And then I pushed my disappointment/ego aside.
This wasn't about me or my running goal or my burning desire for a piece of normality.
I had to trust the SF Marathon organizers-- I mean, they've been at this for 44 years, right? Right. And they are likely monitoring the pandemic and its toll on races much closer than I am, correct? Correct.
And if I trusted them, I had to trust their process.
I bet those in charge of a 27,000+ people event this year want to take extra precautions. I bet that it might have been postponed anyway so it's best to know now. I bet that the new date in September is more realistic.
(And if I let my ego back in, I bet I can run even faster by September. Hah!)
In my communication trainings I have been asking participants to "trust the process" for years! I promise them that every single thing we do has a purpose.
Me: Put on this blindfold. (Trust the process)
Me: Work through this case study. (Trust the process)
Me: Let's role-play! (Trust the process)
They usually oblige.
Why?
Because when we trust our leaders, we can trust the process.
Of course, new trainees don't necessarily trust me as their communication trainer (or, as I prefer to be called: "tour guide") right away. I need to build that with expertise, psychological safety, and genuine care. But once we've established a degree of trust, they willingly play along, and often with great results!
How are you building trust as a leader, so your team has confidence in the process?
PS: As for the September race date, bet on me-- I've got this. ;)
mw
