Letting Go

By Susan Rostkoski, Consultant

Have you ever said to yourself or your colleagues, friends, or family, “It’s time to let go of _______.” What was the response? Letting go of something that is no longer working for us can be painfully difficult and the question or decision may be met with resistance. However, in order to allow for growth and/or forward movement (whether as individuals or organizations), there will be things we must let go of. In fact, “letting go” is a necessary part of living.

In her book, Leading from the Roots: Nature Inspired Leadership Lessons for Today’s World, Dr. Kathleen Allen writes—

“The oak tree is a wonderful example. When an oak is growing, its leaves gain energy from sunlight and turn that energy into nutrients through photosynthesis. As this occurs, the oak tree gets wider and taller. However, the branches that used to be at the top of the tree stay where they originally were, relative to the trunk. So over time, these early branches and their leaves become overshadowed by higher branches that have grown as the tree ages. Eventually, these lower branches can’t perform the photosynthesis needed to contribute nutrients to the tree because they become shaded by the canopy.

"Over time, the oak tree stops sharing nutrients with these lower branches, and the leaves die. Then, in a snow storm or big wind, the branches drop off the tree, and what is left is a self-healing circle that indicates where a branch used to be. There is no visible trauma or drama as the oaks go through this process. The design principle of form fitting function is the way these trees adapt to the growth and change they experience as they evolve.”

In other words, even trees “let go” in order evolve and change.

So what would it take for you and/or your organization to Let Go of something that is no longer serving you or your mission?

First, ask around to see what your most avid supporters, staff, volunteers would say. Ask  questions such as:

a.     What habits, mindsets, programs, processes, and behaviors no longer serve us and our constituents?

b.     What will be lost or gained?

c.     Who is likely to resist and why?

d.     Will letting go enable us to bring in more resources or fewer?

e.     Can we move incrementally in the direction we envision?

f.      What are the checkpoints and milestones that will guide us?

At Strategic Consulting & Coaching, we regularly work with organizations that have a great mission, huge potential, and dedicated employees and leaders. Walking with them through the challenge of letting go often reveals space for unexpected progress, new dreams, streamlining, and transformation. Try it!