Impossible

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t lose? For me its simple. I’d be a polymath. I’d pursue knowledge, fiction and gentleness.

I would change the world. The corporate world is killing us all. But there is another way. A kinder way. A way home, a way that means that we are human beings, not human doings. A way that is not a cop out, an embodiment of true authentic self. I would really prefer not to spend the rest of my natural life “pretending” to be happy with the crumbs that life gives. “pretending” to like colleagues with no connection. People are there for the paycheck not for the purpose. If it isn’t who they are, then why do I care? I want to try things my way. Vocation and Avocation my dears.

I’d pursue knowledge like someone was paying me to do it. Because they are. I’d also read fiction so my brain doesn’t explode. I love fiction, creativity and imagination. My heart and my mind is free. I’d teach. Both parents were teachers, so I guess that will always be a part of me. I accept that. I’d lead in my own way, one where people know I’m no fool but also aren’t sat in terror and awe of my position. So rather than CEO, I’d be Founder. Because true leaders don’t need fancy titles, leaders lead, and I need a pool of people who are my equals, if I think I’m smarter than anyone else, then I have failed myself. I need to say the uncomfortable truths. Which are no one is better than the other person. So I can’t earn more than 3.5 times more than my lowest paid employee. So if I earn £100,000 the lowest paid employee must not earn less than £28,571.42 Pay rises from the bottom up and gets cut from the top down. Leadership means embodying it in everything that you do. Not just being “above reproach” perfect? No, it means being authentic, so fessing up to saying “boo, my mind is not up for this meeting today, I binge watched Suits on Netflix for some old-school nostalgia” or a more real excuse of “ I need a mental health day. I’m not my best.” because we expect people to show up 100% to work when in reality they have 5% in the tank and that deficit, that overdraft, will come out eventually. I’m not running a charity. I am operating a business in the real world and the real world has changed. As long as you complete your tasks, your time is your own, we encourage 4 days a week, but if you can do it in 3, please take that time. I hate “Presenteeism.” If there is someone who wants to do the role entirely from home? Cool, if your role allows it, sure. I need people to feel safe. Because safe spaces, yeah are messy, but then they are also where all the good stuff comes out. I also believe people are more loyal when they see me embodiying it. Take a day for personal development. That is the other 20% of your job. Because knowledge enriches us all. Being an active learner, finding your motivation. removing yourself from judgement and gossip. Removing destructive narratives and people. People who want to come in and destroy. This high trust space means that there is high accounability. But accountability is no bad thing. Consequences is no bad thing. How we work is different, but that should be celebrated and the only problems should be points of difference that should be sorted out without violence, between 2 people. I should not be afraid of those who are different to me. I want people with opposing opinions, people who aren’t afraid to challenge me, to think about what is best for the organisation, not just for themselves. Who recognise when they are triggered and coming from a “lack” mentality, because we can have it all. Maybe not all at the same time. I want to make an impact not just on my customers, my employees but the world. I want to hear about a random act of kindness someone committed on the weekend, or the fact that someone had a “duvet day” because things have been hard at home lately, I want to hear about the kids, the husband and the grandparents in law who are crazy. I believe that is what means you are bringing your whole self, not just that which you want people to see. So come in looking amazing, come in looking like death warmed over. Put your do-not-disturb on. Tell people no meetings. The organisation I will create will be a movement in how we want to be as people. Not just about work. I am not God, I don’t have the power over life and death, I merely have the power to challenge, empower and envision with you. I can do nothing to you. I can only do things for you. It has to come from a place of kindness, or at the very least lack of ego. Those who wish to be centre of attention will need to understand the world doesn’t revolve around them, however that doesn’t mean we should dim their light or try and force down someone’s natural magnetism, it just means we need to ensure they don’t get perceived as a threat to someone else, and trigger them. Maybe its utalitarian, but I do believe by 30ish, you are old enough and wise enough to be trusted with your own life, with all its fragments. You need to do school pick up and drop off? Amazing! So do I! You need to look after your spouse so can’t attend meetings in person for 3 weeks? Cool, it will happen to each of us eventually. I want to lead an organisation knowing I can’t and will not be immune to the facets that is life. Deep personal loss will happen to all of us. That is the price we pay for love. Bereavement of a close family member? Spouse, parent, child? 3 months. Straight up no questions, you call, we pay you. You need time to heal, then a structured, supported return to work. Mat leave and Pat leave? 1 year full pay, eligible for pay awards in line with inflation. For heavens sake go spend time with your children, because when you die, it isn’t going to be my face that flashes before your eyes…unless I am your spouse or your mother or a deep close friend. So go and spend time with those that matter and I am not one of those people. Its not disempowering for me to recognise the proper place in your life. I.e. the Founder of the organisation you work for who is responsible for you and to you, and in this symbiotic relationship you are accountable to me and for me. My actions will reflect on you and you have the right to challenge them to some degree, and your actions have a reflection on me and I have the right to challenge them to some degree. Neither of us must overstep our mark.

I want a brave new world where we don’t have to mind working until we’re 65. Work is a part of life, a healthy one, not one that kills us slowly or fast.

Grace and Courage.

Annetta Mother Smith