Vision & Resourcefulness
Re·source·ful: having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties (or solve problems).
Eliza is one of the most resourceful people I have ever met, and it’s really fascinating to observe, sometimes a wonder to behold. Today I was working in the garden along with Heathe, our handyman, each of us enjoying the weather as we performed our individual tasks. There was something nice about working on a project alongside someone, separately doing our own thing, but towards the same goal. To me, that’s part of what community means, to work towards a shared vision and/or value. And while I was taming the grass and humming to myself I thought, this lady of the house already has a staff of people working for her, because of her creativity, imagination, and vision! (Obviously, it’s not for free as I am here as part of a residency, but that’s my point- that’s resourcefulness!) I think this demonstrates a kind of leadership that is foreign to me, and perhaps that’s why I love it and am fascinated by it.
Zaili IS a visionary. That is one of her skills (but I don’t know if she sees it that way). I know this because again, it’s different from how I operate, and it’s often so much easier to see other people when they are in contrast to our own habits of mind. Before she decorates an empty space, she can visualize the whole room in her minds eye down to the details. I have always said I am spatially impaired (in fact, I know I am. I took a test for it! lol) so my brain literally does not work that way. When I decorate a room, I have a general idea of what I want it to look like, and then piece by piece I build it up once both me and the items are PHYSICALLY in the space, and then adjust along the way. I feel like I need to move in the furniture first to see if I like it, then move things around a couple of times before I get it right. (Which is also why Im always returning things) And even then I’m only slowly adding in the decor and details, continually adjusting things. I may start with a very general idea but never with a full vision.
The other thing about having a vision is being able to sell people on it. That’s another reason she’s able to have people help her, because she has a vision which is clear to her that she’s excited about, and through sharing her vision, thoughts and stories, she gets other people excited about it, who then help her work towards a collective goal. That, to me, coming from a business standpoint, is really good sales! Hahaha because essentially thats all good sales people are really ever doing. And it’s also something I want to do MORE of! I think sales is IMPORTANT, but no one ever wants to do it because it gets a bad wrap. But I like sales, so in a way, this is kind of helping me see/better understand what agenda-less sales looks like, and it’s kinda cool!! It’s simpy just sharing a genuine vision. And Eliza does it with kid-like wonder sometimes.