🤸 The power of “maybe,” getting paid to get an MBA, & playing big

Hey — it’s Cristina & Jenni.

Happy Thursday! Read on for:

• A parable to help you manage change 🧠

• One of us featured on a podcast! 😄

• An antidote for imposter syndrome 💪

What we’re reflecting on this week

A few years ago, I came across a Taoist parable I’ll never forget.

My org had just gone through lots of change, and I was worried about the consequences for my team and for the business.

I found myself trying to predict the ripple effect these changes would have and getting especially caught up in potential negative impacts… the emotions were churning, and I felt distracted.

It’s difficult to lead a team effectively from that headspace, and I knew I needed a reframe - some sort of light at the end of the tunnel.

Enter the parable, called "Sāi Wēng Lost His Horse."

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It goes like this:

A long time ago, a poor Chinese farmer lost his prized horse.

All the neighbors came around and said, “well that’s too bad.”

The farmer said, “maybe.”

A few days later, the horse returned and brought another horse with him.

All the neighbors came around and said, “what great fortune."

The farmer replied, “maybe.”

The next day, the farmer’s son was trying to tame the new horse and fell, breaking his leg.

All the neighbors came around and said, “well that’s too bad."

The farmer said, “maybe.”

Shortly after, the emperor declared war on a nearby nation and ordered all able-bodied men to fight.

Many died, but the farmer’s son was spared due to his injury.

All the neighbors came around and said, “what great fortune.”

To which the farmer replied, “maybe.”

... and so the story goes.

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Change is scary, uncertainty is uncomfortable, and anxiety is exhausting.

In a time of turmoil, the parable of Sāi Wēng shifted my focus towards showing up, doing what I could with what I had, releasing control, and just being. As a leader, I’ve found it to be an invaluable reminder and perspective shift through change or stress.

We don’t have full control over what happens to us, and - while we can speculate productively and do our best to plan ahead - we also can’t predict the exact consequences (good or bad) that will unfold.

→ Think back on the past month, both at and outside of work. Was there any change or news that pushed you five steps down the road, trying to predict the future? Think back a few years. Can you think of anything you were worried (or excited) about that ended up being a complete non-event? Where can you release some of this “prediction tension” using the parable?

What we’re learning this week

• ✍️ LI Post: Undervaluing wins, overanalyzing missteps – This post ties right into our reflections this week and focuses on how to get out of a negative spiral of self-critique. As always, Liz Fosslien accompanies her lesson with a memorable visual.

• 🎙️ Podcast: Mastering Your Internal Brand: How Daily Actions Shape Your Career Path – Jenni was on a podcast recently with one of her friends and fellow CS leaders, Marija Skobe-Pilley. They covered everything from “getting paid to get an MBA” at work to building strong professional relationships to gaining leadership skills as an IC.

• ✍️ LI Post: Attracting and keeping top talent – Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph nails it with this concise message about how to retain your best people.

What we’re enjoying this week

Check out the clip below for a confidence-boosting reminder from Founder of Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani, to play it big instead of staying small.

That’s it for this week — thanks for reading.

See you next Thursday! 🤸‍♀️