I haven’t always been bolstered by the depth of talent and thoughtfulness we have on our current team; nor have I been open or aware of the resources that might have been available. Many times, I’ve had to lean on my own instincts and knowledge. While that autonomy is exciting and nimble, it can also be exhausting, and leaves one open to shoulder all the consequences. Being part of a team that I allow myself to trust, and to together explore options I might not naturally embrace, is a delightful learning. I find such relief in being able to depend on other points of view and experience. I wonder how many opportunities to learn I missed with my youth myopia?
With this deepening trust, interactions have become much less emotionally charged. I don’t need to die on every hill. The growing quiver of situations we’ve successfully navigated together, at times counter to my own instincts, allows me to enter into collaborative decisions with a newfound curiosity and confidence.
That said, I’m not always graceful about collaborating. Like any leader, I’ve been trained into self-reliance, making tough calls while protecting my team and business. My instincts have served me well; I still have my hills I am willing to die on. I can be an impulsive know-it-all. I can push my values on others. And I can be right, and I can also be wrong. But braiding together into a successful team and learning from, and leaning on, all my coworkers has been one of the greatest pleasures of building MEA. I am enjoying my own softening. (That is not a comment on menopause – stay tuned for a later post about menopausal midnight tinkles for that.)
I’m thrilled to welcome Gail DiBerardinis to our Baja team as our first Regional Director of Operations – she’s a deeply-trained, highly-organized operations guru. My younger self might not have been able to make as much space for her as she deserves. She’s going to be just fine without me over her shoulder. Better, quite possibly.
I am so grateful to my co-founders Jeff and Chip. I treasure our true friendship. Our partnership has created unexpected professional and personal growth that’s bigger than MEA.
It’s made me a happier human.
A better human.
I’m learning so much.
Christine Sperber is the Chief Experience Officer and partner in MEA and a former pro snowboarder.