8 REAL-LEADERS.COM / WINTER 2022 Do you ever wonder whywemay overlook signs that cross our path andmiss out on their significance and guidance? Sometimes those moments can be overlooked or ignored so quickly, that we lose the valuable benefits that can come from recognizing the signs as a gift. My case in point: One morning I stood up too quickly and dropped my cell phone on the ground. When I couldn’t see it, I realized that it must have slid under my office chair, so I knelt down to try to find it in the darkness of the chair abyss. Suddenly, I spotted a bright yellow tennis ball! This wasn’t just any tennis ball, rather, it was a much chewed ball frommy beloved Labrador retriever, who had passed away. This old ball held so much joy — years of tossing it around with my pup, years of laughter as she tried to fit as many tennis balls into her mouth as possible (see photo) and ultimately, I realized that she gave me the gift of being fully present. It was an unexpected lesson in joy within the busyness of life, but one that I fully didn’t appreciate until she was gone. Those moments in life are fleeting, yet they teach us lasting valuable lessons. The gift of seeing the “yellow ball” again reminded me to ask myself if I am currently present with my team at work and my family at home. I would like to say that I already knew the importance of being present, but one can get so caught up in the daily grind of things, that the reminders can easily get lost (or in my case “trapped under a chair”) until it’s unexpectedly rediscovered years later, which shows me it’s a sign not to ignore, and to get back into the EVER WONDER WHY? The Value of Being Fully Present “The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention.” —RichardMoss joy of life. As with work, we can avoid or purposely ignore various signs that cross our path, because it can take deep thought and more energy than we think we have to explore those signs. However, if we watch for (or even hope for) some signs, they eventually arise and unlock new thinking and better outcomes. This can also spark creativity that feeds the soul and makes us better leaders and partners in business and life. Inside this special edition, you’ll see inspiring examples of leaders who took life’s quest seriously and either invested in impact businesses and/or created them! See page 44 for our Innovative Impact Investors list. Additionally, you may find words of wisdom fromMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella on page 36, who has learned the value of collaboration, empathy, and listening as he runs a multi-trillion dollar company. As I sit in my chair typing, I find both comfort and joy knowing that the “old yellow ball” stays right where it should be — underneath me — as a constant reminder to embrace the signs that can improve our lives. Julie VanNess, CEO Julie@Real-Leaders.com Join the Real Leaders Impact Collaborative
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