I know I am normally writing about all things connected - connected leadership, connected organisations, connected society, and so on. But last week I was reflecting on the times when I am disconnected and how valuable they can be.
Sitting in long haul flights can be a drag, but more often
than not I enjoy them because they provide time. Time to think widely. Mental
space to reflect and regroup. To stop a moment and breathe.
My seat is my space. I am disconnected, unable to be online
(although this is changing, which is a pity). It’s like I am unplugged; the
cord to the world has been taken out and I am forced to reflect and
think. My reflections are often fuelled by music and films, bringing in
different perspectives. I have time to make sense of things, both work and
personal, often through writing. Putting words on a page helps me to
articulate what I am thinking, to explore connections between things and to
develop a clearer point of view.
Landing somewhere is the start of an adventure, a relief to
be able to walk and reconnect with my world. But I also have a pang of
regret that my disconnected time has come to an end.