One of our favorite tools from GiANT Worldwide is the Five Gears. This metaphor is built around the picture of a manual shift. There's a specific job and time for every gear and our car (our life) doesn't work well if any gear is missing or if a gear is overused.
🏎️ 5th gear is focus mode. It's when we get in the zone. When we're so focused on getting things done that it takes three times calling our name, to get our attention because we're was fixated on a project. Some people have no idea what we're talking about because they've never been in that gear and some live in that gear.
🚚 4th gear is multitasking or task mode. It's getting things done like emails and phone calls where interruptions are allowed. It's having a full schedule and to-do lists, and we are checkin 'em off. Most of us (especially in America) live in this gear.
🚎 3rd gear is social mode. This is the ability to connect with people (chit chat and small talk). The type of small talk that sets up deeper conversations, but it isn’t the deep conversation yet. Some people can get stuck in this space and don't go deep enough and some have a tendency to avoid this space because they can't stand it.
🚗 2nd gear is connect mode. This is where we bond with someone, going deeper. It's date night, intentional time with the kids or a phone call with an old friend where we leave so encouraged and both comment about how good it was to connect again.
🚑 1st gear is recharge. If you're an extrovert, this is with people. If you're an introvert, you need some alone time. The idea here is, what does it take for you to get energized and recharge in your day, week, or season of life that you're in?
And don't forget 🚓 Reverse. This is us being responsive, not resistant. Backing up often sounds like “I'm so sorry I did that.” Some people never access this gear, which would be like having a car that doesn't have a reverse gear. You'd have to park very strategically.
So, as you start a new week, take this 5 Gears challenge.
💢 Evaluate your gear usage.
❌ Are you neglecting a gear?
🆘 Any gear getting overused?
Then make a plan to spend time in every gear every day.
❇️EXTRA CREDIT❇️: Teach this to your family or team and start using the language to make sure that you're in the right gear at the right time!
#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Connect #AvoidBurnout