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If you know where you’re going it’s likely you’ve spent a decent amount of time thinking about what it will take to get there?

The mindset. The strategy. The commitment. The effort. The skills. The help. The luck!

Yep, all that ‘ish matters a lot. A whole lot!

But none of it will matter if we lose sight of one critical piece of the puzzle. Our availability.

If you’ve been around sports for more than a minute you’ve likely heard the saying, “the best ability is availability.” 

In the context of a competitive team sport it’s easy to appreciate the meaning behind the saying. As we move further away from the field and the team environment the significance of this adage becomes less apparent. 

In this issue, we want to help you better appreciate the vital importance of availability in the context of your leadership development journey, and how it’s the best ability a leader can possess to ensure they’re moving beyond inspiration to transformational influence.

The Essence Of Availability

Availability simultaneously speaks to the hypothetical and the actual. 

It implies not only that you can (past performance), but that you could (present state) and you would (felt reality).

Availability in the context of a leader's life encompasses several dimensions. 

When we dig a little deeper we can see availability is being present, open, responsive, prioritizing what truly matters, and finding balance in our ambitions pursuits.

• Presence: Being fully present in the moment, both physically and mentally, for oneself and others. This means giving undivided attention, listening actively, and engaging genuinely in interactions. It's about being "all there" rather than distracted or preoccupied.

• Openness: Having an open mind and heart to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. This involves a willingness to step outside of one's comfort zone, embrace vulnerability, and learn from others. It's about being receptive to the unexpected and the unknown.

• Responsiveness: Being able and willing to respond to the needs and emotions of others in a timely and supportive manner. This involves empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to help. It's about being there for loved ones when they need it most.

• Prioritization: Choosing to allocate time and energy to the things that truly matter, such as nurturing relationships, pursuing meaningful goals, and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. It's about being intentional with one's time and energy, rather than being constantly busy with trivial matters.

• Balance: Finding a harmonious balance between different aspects of life, such as work, relationships, personal growth, and leisure. This involves setting healthy boundaries, managing expectations, and making conscious choices about how to spend one's time. It’s about Intentionally creating a sustainable leadership lifestyle.

I can, I could, I would

Genuine availability is easier said than done.  

When life’s pursuits become all consuming we can unconsciously give off vibes that undermine our stated intentions around availability.

It's a real challenge, especially for driven individuals who are naturally focused on goals and outcomes.

I had a personal realization of this a couple days ago.

My cousin sent me a text after he had run into a childhood friend of ours. In short, the text said hey this person has really been inspired by what you’re doing, he wants to talk to you when you’re in town, but you’re so busy and have so many people wanting to talk with you he doesn’t want to take up any of your time.

I thought wow, here is a dear friend that doesn’t think I have the availability for them. 

They know I can, they know I could, but based on the vibes they’ve got from me they don’t think I would. 

That was a sad realization, but much appreciated feedback.

Living in the intersection demands us to constantly be calibrating our intentions with our impact. 

By addressing this dynamic thoughtfully, leaders can ensure that their availability is not just a stated intention but a felt reality within their circles of influence.