Joshua Street’s Blog

As of 3.2.10, I am the proud parent of two. I could image more kids being a ton more work, but then the reward increases with each one. I think Jo and I are done, but for the next 18 years at least, our life is on target for a wild ride.

I love the various roles I’ve gotten to fill in organizations through the years. From consultant to management to volunteer, each role brings a rewarding experience. I’ve seen many strengths within each place I’ve served, but a slew of strengths are easily erased by one sole weakness. Every organization is built to handle harmony. After all you don’t partner with people you have nothing in common with. In my experience though, it’s not agreement that shape an organization, but how they handle conflict. Few places or people know how to handle disagreement. The places that learn to handle conflict openly, respectfully, and humble (after all you may be wrong) not only survive, but attract people that will challenge them to be better. How does your organization handle conflict?

When I started my twenties and pictured what my life would be like at the close of them, I can honestly say there is not much that fits. I hadn’t met my wife yet, I was working my way through college to become some type of counselor, I thought I was ready to be a husband (luckily the girl I was engaged to wasn’t), my two younger brothers were in 8th and 2nd grades, and I’d been out of the house for 2 years. I was so young and thought that the world was my oyster (both statements I still believe today, but in a slightly wiser fashion).

I guess what I’m trying to say is my life reshaped into something far different than my expectations. Maybe I could have done everything right and known exactly what I wanted to do at and early age. Maybe I would have gotten to this place faster in life. Perhaps, but I highly doubt I would have acquired the level of appreciation for the things I have been given without the journey I’ve taken.

So this year I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful that no matter what I do or don’t ask for, something great is around the corner. After all, the joys of life are never found in the things you expect, but in the unexpected.

I’ve often thought of myself as an idealist. Hope about what the world is destine to become seems to be always on an Idealist’s mind. I remained exactly that way until I started my first company. For two years I ran everything like and idealist. At times I paid 80% out in payroll, took no profits or pay. Sure my employees loved me, but my bank account said I was crazy. I was crazy. I thought if you put together a system that rewards hard work and provides great pay with flexibility, then the company is destine for success. Just because things are noble, it doesn’t make them good.

What the Idealist side fails to recognize is that people are, by nature, variables. As a species, we are inconsistent. Our dreams change from season to season in life. I’ve wanted to be a counselor, a trombonist, a pastor, president, and at times enjoy the simple life of garbage man. In a few short years in college, I switched my major 4 times. Maybe you are not as fickle as that, but I certainly doubt you went on to be a ballerina or a race car driver. The Idealist gathers attention most often for being controversial, while the Realist focuses on completion. Dreams are basically nothing more than descriptions. Realism is nothing more than working. Put them together and you will find something extraordinary.