Do You Run With Scissors?

We talk a lot about moxie here at Bryant Group; it’s one of our core values because we believe it’s central to great leadership. Moxie might bring to mind creativity, courage, or risk-taking. When we talk about moxie, we like to refer to it as “running with scissors.” It has become a powerful metaphor for our team and our partners. 

We’re not trying to offend our kindergarten teachers, but sometimes running with scissors is necessary. Recently on LinkedIn, I tagged a dozen leaders in the advancement world that I believe embody moxie. I wanted to recognize some of the courageous and creative leaders I know and have worked with – the ones who willingly run with scissors and lead with a passion for people, results, change, and purpose.

I remember the first time in my life when someone inspired me to do the unthinkable. In the 1970s, when I was eight years old, my parents discovered I had Type 1 diabetes. When the doctor told me I would have to take insulin shots, I bit my lip. (Hard.) No one was going to see me cry. Over the course of just a few months, I learned how to eat a nutritious low-sugar diet, test my urine for sugar (there were no “finger stick” home blood tests in those days), and to measure out insulin so my mom could give me shots twice a day.

However, to stay overnight at a friend’s house, I had to learn to give my own shots, as Mom wouldn’t be around to do it for me. There were no “push a button” injectors in those days. Instead, I knew I had to learn to stick a needle in my stomach. On purpose. It just didn’t seem possible.

Judy Davis, a nurse at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Washington, knew that it was possible. Even for an eight-year-old. And with Judy’s patient help over the course of just one week, I started giving myself my own insulin. Judy Davis, woman of moxie, planted a seed of moxie in me as a little girl--and I will be grateful to her for the rest of my life.

Who do you know with moxie? Whose courage and leadership has impacted your life? Leadership is not doing things for people or making excuses or letting them off the hook. Leadership is encouraging and teaching and trusting and knowing that others have greatness within them. Leadership is running with scissors when necessary.

 Lead with greatness. Because leadership changes lives.