Coloring Outside the Lines 

J. Keith Hughey

Founder

Volume XXII, Number 29 (Issue 1085) July 15, 2024 

Coloring Outside the Lines 

Small children, as we all can attest, struggle to color within the lines. Nonetheless, they are singularly proud of their artistic efforts and cannot wait to show them to their adoring fans (aka parents and grandparents). Those same fans are equally happy to display that artwork on any available surface, including the ubiquitous refrigerator gallery of art. Sandy and I are no exception. Thus, in addition to our refrigerator, one wall in my office is similarly adorned with a couple of early years expressionist masterpieces. 

As children get older and their birthdays start to number in double digits, those same artists begin taking no less pride but considerably more care in their art such that coloring within the lines takes on special importance. For the record, I recently added one such newly completed master work to my office wall courtesy of one of our grandsons. It is there for my own regular viewing pleasure as well as for any lucky visitor who happens to drop by, 

I raise these points of comparison because I want us to consider at what stage does that mindset of working within the lines become such an immovable force that we struggle to consider, let alone act in ways that test and expand our boundaries? For that matter, even when one dares to push the limits, what potential is missed because we choose to limit changes to those meant to bring about improvements at the margin? Conversely, what might we achieve if we sought to go boldly into the night (or as both Star Trek and NASA have stated, “go where no one has gone before”)? 

As consultants one of our primary roles is to be agents of change. Sometimes the changes we recommend can seem radical – particularly when individuals or organizations have become stuck in old, familiar behaviors and thinking. Change that takes us into uncharted territory can be scary. It is also demanding work with no guarantee of success. However, without purposeful efforts to change, one risks becoming irrelevant. 

So, back to my original point: small children are experimenting, learning, growing every day. But soon come the teen years where the ready acceptance of one’s peers (read: conformity) becomes a key driver of behavior if not thinking. Continued success requires that both individuals and organizations adapt to meet the changing needs and expectations of their customers, teammates, communities, and shareholders. Failure to do so is the equivalent of thinking one is playing it safe when the reality is they are playing with fire. May we all get comfortable coloring outside the lines. 

Soli Deo Gloria 

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

J. Keith Hughey

Mobile: (210)260-0955

E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com

Website: www.jkeithhughey.com

Transforming Potential into Unmatched Performance

Copyright 2024 by J. Keith Hughey. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction and redistribution of this essay as provided under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Recent issues of Musings may be found at www.jkeithhughey.com.  Your comments are always welcome.

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