WHAT I'M READING WEDNESDAY : Bee Wise by Philip Atkinson, PCC

Who doesn't love a strong metaphor?

I know that I do.

This entire book is built on comparing the workings of an organization, with the workings of a busy hive. (Philip happens to also be a bee keeper.)

I am usually a linear reader, starting at the beginning and finishing at the end, but every once in a while I don't.

Philip's note at the beginning said that Chapter 10 was interesting, so I started there and then moved back to Chapter 1.

So what was so interesting about Chapter 10?

It's all about endings and closings, which many of us are terrible at.

👉 We hang on to a relationship, even though we know it's not working.
👉 We keep pushing forward on that failing project, in hopes it will turn around.
👉 We run out of time while facilitating a workshop, and it closes flat, or not at all.
👉 We dig out all the rosemary bushes on Saturday, and they are still lying in the grass today. (ask my husband about that one 🥸)

In the hive, there is no hanging on.

When winter comes, and the male drones are no longer needed, they are either ejected from the hive, stung to death, or left to starve.

Obviously, I am not advocating homicide, but I agree with Philip on this.

The entire book follows the cycle of the bees, from one season to another.

Are we honoring those cycles within ourselves and within our organizations?

From the micro-moments to the major projects, how are we managing the launch, middle, and close of anything?

Next week, I am finishing up a book circle with a group of facilitators and professors on the book The Art of Gathering where the entire last chapter is devoted to closing well.

We will close on the chapter on closing.

Priya Parker says:

How you end things, like how you begin them, shapes people's experience, sense of meaning, and memory.

​I am not entirely through the book, but I am excited to finish it and see where else I can apply the wisdom of bees to my work with leaders and teams.

Thank you, Suzanne Lee, for introducing me to the book and to Philip.

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P.S. That's my dog Skaï who decided to photo-bomb the image :)

Originally posted on LinkedIn with comments.

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