The glass ball analogy
In my leadership coaching sessions, I’ve often shared the glass ball analogy. It was first mentioned by Bryan Dyson (former Coca Cola CEO) and the idea was later developed and spoken about by writer Nora Roberts. It’s a useful way of considering your priorities and working out what is important to you at different points throughout your life.
The concept is that your life is made up of balls - some of them are glass, and some of them are plastic. Family, wellbeing, friends - they’re all glass. Work, interests, household chores - they’re plastic.
What happens if you drop a glass ball? It breaks and it’s very difficult to repair. If you shatter it too many times, it can’t be repaired. And what happens if you drop a plastic ball? It bounces and remains intact. You can pick it up when you’re ready.
During your life, some of the areas of your life may change between glass and plastic. When you’re in the thick of a leadership career, of course your work is important and will need your time and attention. In an ideal world, you can juggle all the balls simultaneously, but life tends to not be that simple, so in those moments where you must make a choice, consider what is glass and what is plastic.
[Image description: A small child with a red backpack walks along a narrow path overlooking the expansive Wenderholm Regional Park.]
In 2022, I stepped down from the Chief Executive role at Able after building and developing the organisation for nearly a decade, a challenge and adventure that I’m so proud of. My young family is most definitely a glass ball, especially in these early years. It was a privilege to be able to make this decision, but it wasn’t one that was easily made. I knew that my career, despite being extremely important to me and something I had worked so hard to establish, was a plastic ball. It will bounce back. Two years on, I’m building a busy and successful portfolio career as a leadership coach, facilitator and consultant, and I’m juggling all the balls.
If you don’t show up for your family and friends and if you neglect your own personal wellbeing, the cost will be far greater, longer lasting, and the impact will be harder to repair. You’ll never regret those moments where you choose to show up in the right place for the right reasons. Even the very best juggler will drop a ball from time to time, so make sure you know which ones in your life you’re prepared to drop.