Instead of kidding myself with resolutions each January, I choose a word to focus on throughout the year. In recent years I explored ‘power‘ and ‘emergence‘. This year I chose ‘love‘.

I chose love because of the personal changes happening in this stage of life. I chose love because of a loved one’s upcoming major surgery. I chose love because of the lovelessness witnessed through my rose-coloured glasses. I chose love because it’s paradoxically messy and stunningly clarifying. I chose love because of the realisation that it’s our only hope of a collective thriving future.

Focusing on love means that I smile at my neighbours, I consciously express appreciation for small things, I take responsibility for my words, thoughts and behaviours, and I set boundaries to help keep me out of resentment. It means telling my folk I love them (I’ve loved seeing this come to life in the recent Love U Bro campaign launched by NZ organisation, She Is Not Your Rehab. Ah, this video!).

A few weeks ago when I discovered journalist Kelly Corrigan’s TED Talk titled ‘To Love Is To Be Brave‘, I couldn’t hit ‘play’ fast enough. These stunning words were especially poignant:

“Bravery is the great guts to move closer to the wound, as composed as a war nurse holding eye contact and saying these seven words: “Tell me more. What else? Go on.” That’s how the brave shine, that’s all they do. They say, “Tell me more. What else? Go on.” Even if they’re scared of what might happen next, even if they have no training or experience to prepare them for this moment. Even if it’s late and they have an early flight.”
– Kelly Corrigan, To Love Is To Be Brave TEDTalk​

Love and courage go hand in hand. Love is vulnerability in action. It’s the willingness to show up, be seen, keep our armour off and care, even when we can’t control the outcome. It’s at the heart of staying curious so we can stay connected in our boardrooms, meeting rooms, classrooms and lounge rooms.

Love is the courage to say “Tell me more. What else? Go on.” These words are also part of a daring leadership toolkit, practiced in the evidence-based, Dare to Lead™ online leadership program.

Do you have a word of the year? How do you stay mindful of living and leading with purpose and integrity? What does love sound like to you? I’d love to know. Leave a comment below and tell me. Go on.

 

Watch Kelly’s wonderful TEDTalk below.