I’m fond of saying that PalletOne leaders “happen to the world” rather than “let the world happen to them.”

What I mean by that is that we are engaged. As we join a team, we work actively to participate toward achieving the aims of the game. We can be a follower or a leader. But, in either case, we are contributing. There isn’t anything passive about us. We are there with ideas and suggestions. We are encouraging voices. We offer feedback. We note progress. We address decline.

All of those are action oriented.

But, if we are to be quality contributors, we pause too. It isn’t 100% manic activity.

We pause to understand. We actively listen to all who might have insights. We understand that the larger the group, the more likely there is a solution from somebody else better than what we could come up with ourselves.

We pause to observe. We have learned that first impressions are powerful but not always accurate. We continue to ask why. We dig deeper.

We pause to listen. We understand the power of ideas. We probe for understanding. We are good with silence as people consider.

Pausing is powerful. Pausing creates progress. Pausing strengthens the team.

One of the most effective ways we can happen to the world is to ensure pauses occur at important times.