You have to actually start something to start (Also known As: Opening the Kimono)

   The title might not be a very profound, but, for me, getting started has proved to be a lot more difficult than you would think! For three weeks I've had "start my blog" haunting me on my "To Do" list and today, finally, I am determined to cross this task off.
  
   I think the reason for this extended procastination is simply this "what the hell do I have to write about, say, that any other person, besides my closest family members and dearest friends, would be interested in reading!" Admittedly I am exactly as my blog title espouses - a very quirky person. BUT, I am also pretty boring. Furthermore, the idea of failing, making a real fool out myself really scares the hell out of me and let's face it, blogging is a pretty public way to fail. That said, I have been reading quite a bit lately about the benefits and necesity of a good failure. We talk about it in business all the time, "creating a culture that allows people to fail."

   I do beleive that creating a culture of trust where people aren't afraid to fail is an important job for all leaders, both formal and informal. Otherwise people don't take risks. I've even been told by one of my favorite employees of all times, yes Ricky I mean you, that he never worried about making mistakes when working for me because "you screw up all the time!" I've also had employees who couldn't take the transparency they so craved and decided that someone who was constantly making mistakes, like I do, couldn't possibly be smart enough to lead them.

   It's a risk when you open up the kimono and show people that are counting on you to lead them that you are human, vulnerable, and prone to make errors. That said, I can't imagine operating any other way. However, showing five or fifty people a bit of your vulnerable side, is not quite the same as putting it out there on the world wide web, but today I am determined to face this irrational fear.

   And so here goes I am opening my kimono to you with these ramblings that I dare not call prose! Instead this blog will be the inklings of this quirky Canadian as I embark on my journey of personal and professional development--what else :-)!

   To anyone else out there, who has done something to address their fears of exposure, please do share! I would love to hear your stories.

Barbara