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What Else Could It Be?

I have a workshop that I enjoy doing with teams and organizations. At the heart of this particular session is the question, “What else could it be?” I share the idea that, as humans, we tend to make up a story when information is missing. My experience has been that we often fill our information gaps with negative things.

To emphasize this point, I include a group activity. I ask for one person to serve as the artist. That person will draw on a whiteboard on behalf of the group.

I then say the following statement: “Guys, this is all we know: There is smoke, and it is bad.”

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamSeptember 16, 2024personal growth

Welcome To The Team

I am a noticer but let me clarify: I am not someone who notices the color of the walls in an office building, or the type of flowers in a coffee shop, and I certainly would be terrible at identifying someone in a police line-up!

What I notice are patterns and trends.

For example, my brain lights up when multiple people use the same rare word, when individuals express a similar emotion, or when different people mention the same struggle.

In the last couple of months, a theme has been showing up in my life. I have noticed a particular phrase. I have heard it in face-to-face conversations, over text, email, and on the phone, as well as in one-on-one conversations and in group settings. Each time, the tone is the same. It is said with a hint of embarrassment or disappointment as if they have let someone down.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamAugust 5, 2024personal growth

Just Say No

Just say no. Those words are a quick trip down memory lane for some of you. However, you may need an explanation if you are a generation older or younger than me.

I am a part of Generation X, also known as the Just Say No Generation. Our elementary school experience was filled with posters, lectures, and assemblies promoting the “Just Say No” campaign. The core message of this movement was exactly what it sounds like. If someone offers you a cigarette, just say no! As you get older, if someone offers you alcohol, just say no! And my goodness, should an offer for marijuana ever come your way, just say no!

peronal growthMolly GrishamJuly 18, 2024personal growthComment

I Shouldn't Have To

I felt my heart drop as I walked into the room. I had arrived excited and ready to facilitate a full day with a new group, but I quickly realized the room setup had not been accurately described to me.

A good facilitator adjusts on the fly, often without anyone knowing a change had been made, and this situation was certainly going to test my ability in this area.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamMay 26, 2024personal growth

Remember to Breathe

I was on the couch of my Airbnb, logged into a previous guest’s Netflix account, fully captivated by the documentary I had selected. The film was titled The Deepest Breath, and for nearly two hours, I had to remember to breathe.

The documentary followed the journey of the Italian free diver Alessia Zecchini, who was attempting to set the world record for the deepest dive in one breath. Her goal was to dive 341 feet in a single breath. As I sat on the couch, I felt my heart pounding. This true story was a thriller.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamApril 29, 2024personal growth

Defense Wins Championships

It was 3 am, and I was awake - again. I checked into this hotel three days ago. My client made the reservation, and while it was a well-respected national hotel chain, it had seen better days.

The towels and sheets were clean, but they had lost their shine, and you needed all four pillows to get the fluff of one. But the real issue, the thing that had me awake at 3 am, was the wall heating unit.

I was on the East Coast in January, which meant it was cold, and I needed to have the heat on. This unit sounded like a freight train when it was running, so I had this frustrating nightly routine: turn on the heat, wait until it was hot, turn it off, go to sleep, wake up cold, and repeat. It was too loud to sleep with it on and too cold to sleep with it off.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamJanuary 5, 2024personal growth

I Only Want The Best For You

It was a chilly night in Duluth, Georgia. I don't know if the goosebumps were from the temperature or the sheer excitement I was feeling. We had arrived at Gas South Arena, home of the Gwinnett Gladiators, a minor league ice hockey team, to see one of my bucket-list bands perform. I was looking forward to hearing Need to Breath, but the real reason behind my childlike joy was the opening band Judah and the Lion.

There is something magical about a live concert. On this night, about 8,000 people gathered to listen, sing, dance, cry, sit, stand, and simply enjoy two of their favorite bands.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamDecember 11, 2023personal growth

I Did this to Myself

This was unplanned, a total surprise, yet here I am with no choice but to be in this moment.

It had been weeks of coming and going. I would hit the road for two or three days and then be home for one day, only to turn around and repeat this pattern. I managed the busyness well by staying one step ahead of the chaos. The most challenging thing in this season was trying to eat well. It’s hard to keep produce fresh when I am traveling so much.

I had just returned after being away for two days, and there wasn’t much in my refrigerator.

peronal growth, leadership developmentMolly GrishamNovember 12, 2023personal growth

Start in the Dark

It was a snowy Saturday in January. I was wrapped up in two blankets, nestled deep into my oversized comfy chair while holding a big bowl of fresh popcorn dripping in butter. The stage was set for a perfect, lazy evening.

I am a sucker for a good documentary, and the movie of choice that night was Free Solo.

This film tells the story of Alex Honnold, who was attempting to ascend El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Getting to the top would require a 3,000-foot vertical climb. The unique element to this pursuit is the fact that Alex wanted to do this “solo,” which meant he wanted to climb El Capitan with no ropes, no safety net, and nothing to brace him from a 3,000-foot fall.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamOctober 15, 2023personal growth Comment

Clear the Path

It’s a quiet Saturday morning. I’m sitting in my favorite recliner next to three bookcases full of books, and the sun is slowly filling the room. I haven’t showered, and I am wearing what I like to call “loungewear,” also known as a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a well-worn sweatshirt. I have a hot cup of tea next to me, and Noah Kahan is playing over my sound system.

I have a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamOctober 2, 2023personal growth

Under Construction

I can say with confidence that I don’t have too many vices. However, I will admit, without some well-focused self-control, sweet tea could be an addiction for me.

I gave up soda years ago, but about once a month, I allow myself to enjoy that Southern goodness. It usually happens when I work from home, have been in my office for days on end, and need to get out of the house. To my delight, the fast-food restaurant with the best sweet tea in my area is about a five-minute drive.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamAugust 7, 2023personal growth

There Was a Hair in My Eye

The day began like most non-travel days. I made some tea, grabbed a protein bar and vitamins, and sat down in my favorite recliner. I selected some calming music to play in the background and started checking email on my laptop.

While working, I noticed that I kept rubbing my left eye; it felt irritated. I took a break from my work, walked into the bathroom, stood in front of the mirror, and examined my eye. I expected it to be red, but it wasn’t. I looked for a wild out-of-place eyelash that might be brushing my eye, but I didn’t see anything. I returned to my recliner but couldn’t stop rubbing my eye. A few minutes later, I walked back to the mirror, and again, nothing.

peronal growthMolly GrishamJune 23, 2023personal growth

I am So Sick of Myself

I love international travel. I have been to nearly twenty countries and have never regretted saying yes to the opportunity to pack up, go, and explore a new place.

Being in a different culture, tasting new foods, learning about unfamiliar customs and norms, and experiencing a unique pace of life are welcomed disruptions for me. While I return from each trip, having learned a lot about a country and its people, my biggest growth is much more personal.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamJune 11, 2023personal growth, leadership development

It’s. Not. My. Luggage.

Today started early. Way too early.

Last night, I arrived at my hotel a little after 11pm. I tried to go right to bed, but my brain would not power down. After a night of tossing and turning and solving all the world's problems, my alarm jolted me back to life at 5:30am.

I took a shower, drank some tea, ate a Power Crunch bar, repacked my stuff, and checked out of my hotel by 6:30 am. I got in my rental car and headed to a college campus for a full day of meetings.

Organizational Culture, Personal GrowthMolly GrishamMay 14, 2023personal growth

I Felt Like an Idiot

For the most part, I am a rule follower. I get my teeth cleaned twice a year, I regularly change my furnace filters, and I pay my bills on time.

Late last fall, I was getting close to needing new tires. I knew I had a very long road trip coming up, and winter was fast approaching. With all this in mind, before I departed for my trip, I made an appointment to get new tires.

The process went smoothly, and a few weeks later, I hit the road feeling safe. After two days in the car, as I pulled into my Airbnb driveway, I noticed the low tire pressure light was on.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamApril 28, 2023personal growth

She said she is an Influencer

An old pier in Redington, Florida, used to extend nearly 60 yards into the ocean. After storm damage and a lack of maintenance, it finally turned into a public safety hazard. As a result, a few years ago, most of the structure was removed. What remains is about 30 yards long, and it stretches from the parking lot onto the beach, but it only comes close to reaching the edge of the water. On top are some picnic tables and a nice view. Below is a space where people can sit in the shade or hang hammocks.

On this day, as I made my way to the shore, I walked past the pier and tried not to laugh out loud. Below was a 20-something young woman dressed in a way that would have gotten her arrested for indecent exposure in most public places! Not much more than a spool of thread was needed for her outfit.

leadership development, peronal growthMolly GrishamApril 4, 2023leadership, personal growth

The Loyal Soldier

There is a fascinating concept that emerged after World War II called the Loyal Soldier. This term developed when Japanese soldiers found themselves alone or in small groups on remote islands. Because they were isolated, many of them did not know the war had ended. They stayed committed to fighting even after the war was over; they became known as Loyal Soldiers.

The most well-known case of a Loyal Soldier features a man named Hiroo Onoda, a soldier assigned to a post on Lubang Island in the Philippines. This island was sparsely populated, and over time, everyone in his unit either died or surrendered. Hiroo was committed to the task, and he remained alone, in hiding, defending his post for three decades! While locals tried to approach him, he stayed in an active war mindset and took fire at anyone who came near.

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamMarch 20, 2023personal growth

Running the Wrong Way

Recently I was in Florida for a few weeks. Part of my daily routine included outdoor exercise. On this day, I decided a 4-mile walk on the beach would be the assignment.

After a solid morning of work, I walked a quarter of a mile to the beach. The sun was shining, and people were fishing, swimming, and playing in the sand while others were simply enjoying the beautiful weather with the company of friends.

I approached the water, took off my flip-flops, and tucked them into my sling bag. I cued up a good podcast and headed south along the shoreline. As I walked, I said to myself, “Whoa, the water looks really choppy. A storm must be coming.”

Personal GrowthMolly GrishamMarch 4, 2023personal growth