Go, team, go!

Colleagues,

MVP: When it becomes apparent, go with supporting your team.

Yesterday I shared how a situation could be beautiful (my perspective) OR stressful (Frederick’s perspective), depending on your past experiences.
 
Horses are amazingly perceptive beings that are especially sensitive to people’s feelings, especially anxiety (Psychology Today, 2017). Frederick and I, physically separated with two big horses between us, caused some anxiety to which these horses reacted. I was calm, and with my entire being tried to emote to Frederick that I was in control of the situation, hoping to calm his uncertainty. The horses, on the other hand, went into protective mode, stepping around me a bit more intentionally, probably trying to separate Frederick even further. He saw this as a sign of aggressiveness, I saw it as horse behavior.
 
Seeing that my continuing to look for the gate leading to the path we needed would cause potentially more stress by Frederick and more protectiveness by the horses, I abandoned my search and began to pat the neck of the horse closest to me, walking slowly towards Frederick. 
 
I could have continued forward to find a way out that did not take us through a field of stinging nettles, but in the end, I needed to do what made most sense to me – stick with my partner – my team! 
 
Today’s intention: When you have assessed the situation, sometimes it is best to abandon and come together with the team to consider other options.  
 
Pam