Kite flying for the workplace.
How do you see the purpose/mission/vision and values of your organisation? Are they lofty things, high falutin, concerns of the upper echelons and not anything that 'employees like me' need to spend a whole lot of time focused on? Or are they like an anchor for turbulent times that ground everything we do?
As you can probably tell from the article's title, I prefer a kite-flying metaphor with our purpose and values as the kite strings, not the kite. You grasp the handles (or stick), reel out the string and rather than holding you back like an anchor, they set your workplace into flight. That's the point of them. They help your workplace to actively achieve its goals. Otherwise, from the perspective of this metaphor, you are either holding a stick with some string on it or your kite has escaped.
How do you see it - for the elite, as an anchor or your kite strings?
I like the metaphor, and finding metaphors quite instructive at times, I wanted to ensure I grasped kite flying. So, I have been taking instructions from an article to help kids learn to fly. I was surprised by just how relevant it was to creating and sustaining success in the workplace. Here is what it says. See what you think.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION
The first piece of advice is to get the right environment. Have you got enough space that is flat and you can see what will get in your way? If you need to run or maneuver about, you don't want to fall into a river, have your kite land high up in a tree or trip over a log in the long grass.
WAIT FOR THE WIND
Now, this one is a bit controversial, but a kite flies best when there is a wind blowing. When the timing for flight is right, you get lift to raise the organisation into the air, stability keeping it from "tumbling or spinning out of control", control to help you maneuver it, and power, to maintain its flight. But what if conditions aren't ideal? You can run with it for a while until it gets enough lift, add tails or streamers that add some drag and give it extra stability, and have a lightweight kite specifically designed for minimal wind conditions.
FIND A HELPER
It's easier and much more fun to do it with the help of others. So, find a great crew.
UNDERSTAND BASIC KITE FLYING SAFETY TIPS
Here they are (italics indicate direct quotes).
Always keep an eye on your kite while it is flying. If something goes wrong when flying a kite, you want to see it and fix things before a crash.
This is great advice for managing the work and people so that you can adjust and stabilise before things get out of control.
Keep the kite away from people, animals, and objects, and don’t try to hit anything with the kite.
You are in control, so don't damage your people or the sustainability of your business activities by working against your values.
Don’t let out too much line. Up to one hundred feet or so is plenty. It’s hard for people to see and enjoy if a kite gets too high.
Keep your purpose clearly in view through engagement and communication if you want to maintain motivation.
If your flying line becomes slack, bring in a little. Let some line out if the kite begins to pull too hard or act unstable.
Be adaptable to keep things in line with your purpose. Adjust the height and direction of your activities when conditions change.
LAUNCH THE KITE
There are different ways to launch your kite - running, standing in a light breeze or standing in the wind. You will need to understand your conditions, use the support you have, and give it a red hot go. Don't be put off if it takes a couple of tries.
STEADY THE KITE
Now it is in the air, you are more in control of its trajectory.
Once the kite catches the wind, it will start to climb. Keep a firm grip on the string and slowly let the line slide through your fingers, maintaining tension. This will help the kite gain altitude. If it starts to descend or the line becomes slack, gently pull the string to give it more lift. As your kite rises higher, allow it to serve as a symbol of human potential, reminding us that we, too, can transcend earthly boundaries, reach for the stars, and unleash the limitless possibilities that reside within us.
Okay, that may have gotten a little flowery for some of you, but you get the gist.
CONTROL THE KITE
Use the string to steer the kite. Pulling the right side of the string will make the kite turn right, while pulling the left side will make it turn left. Experiment with gentle movements to maneuver the kite in the sky. With each tug of the string, we learn that life, like kite-flying, requires a delicate balance of control and letting go. It’s a beautiful dance between our desires and the unseen forces that guide us as we become one with it and the wind.
Take control, test yourself, and experiment to see if you can achieve your goals more effortlessly.
ENJOY THE FLIGHT
Watching your people achieve goals and helping them enjoy the challenges and successes of the journey is very rewarding. Celebrate your achievements as you see your purpose being realised.
What would it feel like to start the day with your feet planted on the ground, holding the purpose and values in your hands, ready to run a little to get things started, or simply allowing your team's achievements to lift and glide in the day, consciously adjusting to the conditions?