Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we at Blue Mesa Group are taking time to reflect on the teachings and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We are living his dream and there remains much to do to create the kind of world he dreamed of. We celebrate you, today’s leaders, who embrace his principles and commit to supporting you on your journey.

Welcome to the World, Sydney!

Those of us at the Blue Mesa Group are proud to be aunts and uncles to Ryan and Alexa Johnson’s new baby. We have, vicariously, been on this journey of new life, practically since the beginning. We've been there to witness and support them, from Alexa’s morning sickness to the challenging and blessed lessons and longings that become deeply apparent before little Sydney emerged into her first winter.

This new baby Sydney is a potent reminder of the sanctity of life. Her precious innocence, her raw vulnerability, her resilience. Who is Sydney to become? What will her gifts be? Who will her friends be? How will she find meaning? What will she value and why? What can we learn from this young life?

Might the questions we ask about Sydney's future be reflective questions for each of us? What are the correlations between welcoming a new family member and embracing leadership? No doubt, there are plenty. We can start with recognizing our own ability to be resilient, innocent, vulnerable. Can we remember to appreciate life in every form? As stewards of business, our employees and the planet, we have the opportunity and it is our duty to touch in with the fundamental questions about life. In asking and in answering these questions, maybe we can bring more peace, more love, more healing and more joy into our lives and the lives of others. After all, Sydney, and all the other new lives deserve it.

Expressing Gratitude – the simple act that changes everything

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
– Albert Schweitzer

This is the week to celebrate gratitude in the United States. Although a simple emotion, sometimes we take for granted that which is most dear to us – the people with whom we live, play and work.

Noticing acts of kindness is a significant leadership trait. When we say, “Thanks, I really appreciate that”, the other is validated. Yet in our busy-ness, too often we overlook opportunities to express gratitude, or we forget to take the time.

We are all in community – at work, at play, and at home. We need one another and we rely upon one another. There are few acts that are more important than to express appreciation. Taking the time to stop, look at someone in the eye to express gratitude may in fact be the most important thing you do all day. After all, we are simple beings who thrive on connection and service to others. Gratitude adds the meaning and the spice to our efforts.

How can we, as proven and emerging leaders, model acts of appreciation every day of the year? What difference would it make in our lives and the lives of those with whom we work and live? What might it awaken in our hearts? In the hearts of others?

Beginnings

“The secret to a rich life is 
to have more beginnings than endings.” 

David Weinbaum

In the past few months, as we’ve been preparing to officially launch the Blue Mesa Group, LLC, it’s become abundantly clear that we are living very fortunate lives.

• We continue to work with some of the most intelligent, capable and courageous clients in the world. 
• We’re making new, lasting connections all the time. 
• Our amazing team  of coaches, consultants and support staff are exceptionally talented, compassionate and committed professionals. It is a gift to be in such fine company.
  

As we move forward, we invite you to join us in this space, our blog and newsfeed, as we share our insights (and you share yours!) into what it means to live, work and play as a senior leader in both competitive and collaborative industries. In time, you’ll hear from all of our colleagues  at the Blue Mesa Group, we’ll introduce you to some of our clients, and you’ll also hear from the Blue Mesa Group staff dogs, two Golden Retrievers, Jasper and Bodhi, who help us celebrate life with curiosity, joy, simplicity and wisdom.

Bodhi (left), Jasper (right) 

Jasper and Bodhi also remind us all that we don’t always need to take ourselves so seriously. That maybe this occasion calls for a biscuit and a backrub (okay, and another biscuit). That there’s a time for marking your territory and a time for welcoming others into it. That a little walk around the block or an afternoon in the sun is just what we need to, simultaneously, let go and reconnect. 

We all look forward to connecting with you, here, and on the path ahead. On behalf of everyone at the Blue Mesa Group, thank you for sharing in this space with us.