Kinetic Vision

"People learn from me in a way that they are empowered by what I taught them. So that when they think of what they learned from me, they no longer think of me. They think of their own base of understanding of how this world works and so that I become irrelevant." - Neil deGrasse Tyson

For a long time, I have wanted to write about my vision for my life and those around me. Putting this ephemeral thought into words was difficult because of the word vision. When I see that word, the concept of a vision or company mission statement comes to mind. These are typically a few sentences long at most and hardly give anything more than a perfunctory summarization of a goal in the most superficial manner. This was not the idea I had in mind as I struggled to put my fleeting thoughts into a coherent structure inside my head. I wanted something more substantial than an introductory vision statement, and it wasn't until I heard Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson articulate his life advice to an interviewer once.  Hearing his words helped me sort out what I needed to write down. I realized that I was hung up on the title or the template of what it should be rather than attending to what it was to be regardless of the title.

Sure, I may be the director of not one but two departments with a nice, fancy title, but that's neither here nor there. That, to me, is simply part of the definition of my job description. To me, my job is about leadership and mentorship.  This is the true nature of the job I have. Indeed, there are base duties I am responsible for, such as maintaining a proper and balanced department budget. Ensuring the smooth operation of the department, from personnel management to technological efficiency, among other essential responsibilities. But these are the minimally acceptable things that I must do. I would have done my job if I only did these things outlined in my job description and performed them admirably. That, then, is simply a good manager, nothing more. A job done.

The next level up from being a good manager is being a leader. It has always been my nature to do more than the minimally acceptable. Why is that? It's about meaning. It's about purpose. It's about improving. It's about moving the ball forward. If all I've ever done was to do what is expected, then I've not moved the department forward; I've not moved forward and helped no one. Being a leader is about doing more; by so doing, you end up with a job well done.

Leadership is about improving others to help them maximize their potential and make them kinetic. It's why I read books and magazines and listen to podcasts that help enrich my mind and give me ideas I've not thought of. But that's not enough. Reading and listening to that stuff is pointless if you do nothing with it. I do these things first to improve myself, and only then can I seek to improve others with what I've learned.  After you've acquired knowledge, applying it practically is the next step in practical application. The stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, "Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it." This is the practical application of the knowledge and wisdom you've acquired. You live what you've learned. You don't need always to go around explaining what you've learned while never living it because then you've accomplished nothing. You must live it. It is then that you begin to understand what knowledge means, and more importantly, you become a living example to others of what you've learned. People will then take notice of your philosophy and see that you practice what you preach. They will begin to take you seriously as someone with energy who knows how to live a life worth living. It's a life that has meaning and purpose. Moving my ball forward while improving myself and others gives meaning to my life.

What kind of energy do you use in your life? Potential or kinetic? Here is a physics refresher on each kind of energy.

Potential energy is the stored energy in any object or system by its position or arrangement of parts or, more simply put, energy at rest.  Kinetic energy is the energy of an object or a system’s particles in motion-energy in motion. Contrary to potential energy, the kinetic energy of an object is relative to other stationary and moving objects present in its immediate environment.

Practically, a person sitting at their desk day after day doing minimally acceptable work and nothing more has potential energy. The person who not only sits at their desk doing the minimum required work but also gets up and, with initiative, seeks out ways to improve their work, improve themselves, contribute positively to the community and motivate others has kinetic energy. Relative to people with potential energy who might sit around and criticize others for what they're doing, people with kinetic energy are the ones who are doing things that shape the world around them. They get things done and don't waste time and energy complaining about what others are doing. It is a better life to live when we employ kinetic energy for the betterment of ourselves and others. A life full of potential energy is a life wasted. Think of all the great things you could have accomplished for yourself or others if you converted your potential energy into kinetic energy.

So, what is my vision? It is to constantly and consistently improve myself as a human being to help improve others to be their best selves. I desire to take the knowledge, experience, and wisdom I've acquired to assist, motivate, and cultivate others to do the same in their lives. I want to see the fruits of my work blossom into the fruits of others' work. It gives meaning to my life to empower others to become their best selves, not managers, not just good people, but exceptional people, leaders who, in turn, find ways to mentor and teach others to become leaders. This is what a legacy is. Remember, being a leader doesn't mean you have to be in a management or authoritative position. Instead, a leader can be anyone regardless of their station in life.

Be kinetic.

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