Those who do not know the torment of the unknown cannot have the joy of discovery. – Claude Bernard

Uncertainty. Discovery. Knowledge. Practice. These are the four words I use to describe the recent post, Two Steps to Being an Archaeologist-Leader, by Brilliance Within Coaching’s Jeff Harmon. From my perspective and experience, these are four words that that nicely express how one’s curiosity and creativity are presented to and shared with communities.

Full disclosure – Jeff’s post, as he characterizes it, was inspired by an “energizing chat” he and I had yesterday. Seeking to reconnect with Jeff since speaking with him late last year, I shared my recently quitting my job. I described my current endeavors as “a journey of discovery.” And in turn, Jeff provided a wonderful gift, his metaphor – a post about the Archaeologist-Leader. (I’d like to think this is the cousin of an Anthrocubeologist. (smile))

On Knowing Jeff

Jeff (@jeffdharmon74) is a coach and the author of The Anatomy of a Principled Leader: A Field Guide to Being the type of Leader Everyone Dreams of Working For. This being his first book, he rightfully earned praise as follows –

Read this book first before you hunt online bookstores in a confusing search for the best of the 500 or so leadership books published each year. Jeff Harmon distills the best thinking to explain character-based, psychologically-healthy, principled leadership in terms a leader can implement immediately. After this short but provocative book, you’ll know what to read next, but more importantly, what to do now.– Don Frick

I met Jeff in June 2013 at the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership’s annual conference, where I debuted, alongside Jeff Miller, the conference session – Who’s a Servant-Leader, Anyway? (.pdf of presentation) Jeff Miller is our mutual connection. Jeff Harmon and I completed Applying the Key Practices of Servant Leadership, a course that was taught by Jeff Miller as part of the Greenleaf Center’s former Academy. Because of our mutual connection, we also participated in a panel discussion for Jeff Miller’s MBA class, Organizational Stewardship. The major discussion topics of this class – servant leadership, appreciative inquiry, and trust.

The Archaeologist Metaphor

Jeff’s metaphor of an Archaeologist-Leader, his two-step process, is truly a simple way of describing one’s exploration of self and of surroundings. In fact, I am adopting this metaphor as a way of describing my approach on being an anthrocubeologist – that a pre-requisite to being an anthrocubeologist is to go on an archaeology dig.

Truly simple, the two steps Jeff shares include (excerpts below from Jeff’s post) –

1.  The Dig –  The dig is to unearth the gifts, talents, strengths, values, skills and worth of what we already have.  In some cases, this treasure is right in front of you or right below the surface. … Some of the tools of “The Dig” are listening, asking powerful questions, coaching, positivity and love.

2.  The finish work – This is the stage where new skills are added to natural talents.  It’s where encouragement and energy are added to dormant strengths.  It’s where a personal connection is made with the right, new person to round out an idea that has been stagnant. … The tools for the finishing work are often the same as “The Dig” and also include vision and creativity.

All of this is simply to ask you to consider and share your metaphor.

So do tell … Does the Archaeologist-Leader resonate with you? If so, what tools are you using to dig in the land of uncertainty and how will you finish work to serve others? If not, what is your metaphor?