Rewiring Me! Wayar Semula Saya!
The book, ‘The Elephant’s Dilemma: Break Free and Reimagine Your Future at Work” by Jon Bostock is practical and inspiring, [1] published in 2020. The book explores how individuals can break free from their current constraints and reimagine their future in the workplace. According to reviewers, this book inspires readers to take risks and make their work meaningful. Another commented on the book for its powerful message on sustainable innovation and its potential to positively impact lives and careers.
Jon Bostock is an accomplished business leader and author. Before writing “The Elephant’s Dilemma,” he spent eleven years at General Electric, where he felt like a “tethered elephant,” constrained by the traditional corporate environment [2]. He later became the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Big Ass Fans,[3] where he successfully restructured the company and focused on long-term economic sustainability, leading to a landmark sale.
This book certainly heightened my awareness and granted me permission to acknowledge my current feelings. Over the past year, I have felt increasingly stuck in my current job and not as fully invested as I once was. I am pushing myself to persevere until I complete my doctoral program. However, I sometimes feel guilty for these feelings, as it seems unappreciative. Bostock offers readers the courage to go beyond conventional career paths, take risks, and find meaningful work. In the midst of my feelings and in the process of reading this book, there is a constant assurance ringing in my head, from Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.[4] Is fear of the unknown or boredom of a job/position? When the uncertainty of my future takes over my peace, the voice of Jeremiah 29:11 speaks louder!
Bostock stated, “Identify a product or service that needs fixing. Find a problem to solve and make that your mission.”[5] This was my aha moment! Bostock suggests we determine the impact we want to make and find the best outlet for that change—choosing our own path. He further encourages readers to get a whiteboard with nothing on it, and build the service, up from scratch.[6] Sounds so much like my NPO discovery phase. How can I contribute to an effort in a way that makes sense for the environment and the job that I have today? A profound statement, “If you play the game of what’s not possible, you’ll lose every time.” [7] Yes, with God, nothing is impossible!
While reading this book, I called my sister, Shakila. She is a social media guru, freelancing editor, and a comedian by night. Previously, she taught autistic children but experienced burnout, especially during the pandemic. She resigned and became a full-time comedian with her show “Teacher Gone Wild,” and she is happier than ever. Ironically, Shakila suggested I find a problem at work and work towards fixing it. Two weeks ago, I presented an issue to my manager along with the 8-wastes philosophy.[8] This week, she gave me the green light to move forward and ask me to prepare to present the “wastes” to the Director on December 4th.
The more I read this book, the more excited I become about looking beyond my current work project. I am considering starting a dialogue about next-generation leadership, which partially relates to my NPO. This idea aligns with Bostock’s approach of surrounding oneself with diverse viewpoints [9]—my stakeholders who played a crucial role in helping me discover and design my NPO assignment.
Feeling uncertain about my future and the monotony of my life, I asked Shakila to help me set up an Instagram account. Inspired by Bostock’s advice on building a support base,[10] I saw this as an opportunity to engage others in dialogue about next-generation leadership. Bostock emphasizes the importance of having people who can lobby for your ideas, offer encouragement, and contribute to your goals. This approach aligns perfectly with how we engage stakeholders for our NPO workshops.
My takeaway
I landed with some actionable strategies to help me break free from my current constraints and reimagine my professional futures. This does not mean I will be leaving my work anytime soon, but Bostock’s book motivated me to look beyond, as with God Nothing is Impossible [11]:
- Identify what is holding me back to move to another role. Pray about it!
- Be open to new ideas.
- Find and address issues that need fixing, then follow through.
- Surround myself with supporting and encouraging people.
- Take calculated risks to achieve my vision.
- Aim for long-term success, focusing on sustainability.
- Develop a clear plan to achieve my goals.
- Stay committed and preserve through challenges.
Rewiring myself
You may be aware; I work in construction and often visit job sites with engineers and crews. Rewiring in construction involves replacing old electrical systems to enhance safety and functionality and meet modern standards. Similarly, while I cannot be “rewired” like a building, I can update my resume and leverage my skills to advocate for next-generation leadership via Instagram. Whether I remain with my current organization or move on, I trust that God has a good plan for me!
[1] Jon Bostock, The Elephant’s Dilemma: Break Free and Reimagine Your Future at Work (New York: Lioncrest Publishing, 2020).
[2] The Elephant’s Dilemma: Break Free and Reimagine Your Future at Work, October 29, 2024, https://lioncrest.com/books/the-elephants-dilemma/.
[3] Big Air. Bid Fans. Bid Attitude, October 29, 2024, https://www.bigassfans.com
[4] The Holy Bible: New International Version (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1979). Jeremiah 29:11.
[5] Bostock, 52.
[6] Bostock, 55.
[7] Bostock, 59.
[8] 8-Wastes od Lean Manufacturing | Machinemetrics, October 29, 2024, https://www.machinemetrics.com/8-waste-of-lean-manufacturing/.
[9] Bostock, 73.
[10] Bostock, 75.
[11] The Holy Bible: New International Version (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1979). Luke 1:37.
About the Author
Shela Sullivan
Born and raised on the vibrant Penang Island in Malaysia, I cherish the Malaysian greeting, “Mari Makan!!” which reflects the warmth of shared meals. Since 1996, I have called Oregon my home enjoying the raindrops and the serenity of its beaches. The ocean connects me to nature and energizes me. I am a Wife - Mentor - Traveling Pastor - Sourcing Manager Construction. Favorite Bible Verse: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalm 37:4~ I reside with my husband, David and our fur-baby Rolo. We share passions for travelling, culture, diverse cuisines, home improvements, classic cars and humor.14 responses to “Rewiring Me! Wayar Semula Saya!”
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Shela, thanks for the blog. The book sounds interesting, inspiring and permission giving. The idea of finding a problem and fixing it is great. How would you go about addressing the problems in your workplace now that you have been using the collaborative design process in your research?
Thank you, Graham for reading my post.
I will start by clearly identifying the issues – I will be incorporating the Kaizen model. Then, bring together a diverse group of colleagues to discuss these problems, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. Use brainstorming sessions to generate ideas, create prototypes of potential solutions, and test these in small-scale trials. Collect feedback, make necessary adjustments, and iterate until the solutions are refined. This process not only resolves issues but also fosters a culture of innovation and teamwork. I was discussing my plan this morning with my manager, she gave me a year to identify and bring solution to the table.
Hi Shela, I am excited for you that this book helped your find a meaningful experience in your current work situation. Do you think the working through of this new endeavor will give you the challenge you seek at this time? I wonder if God’s gift to you was this inspiration for this moment of your life.
Hi Diane, thank you for your question.
At this time even though I feel stuck, I will honor this time and space I am in. In the meantime, I am given the opportunity to work a new project.
Thanks Shela. What “next generation” leadership do you think will align with your current position?
Hi Debbie, thank you for reading my post.
My focus is on Gen-Z leadership.
Shela, I appreciate the transparent feelings you expressed in this blog. In your exploration of Jon Bostock’s ‘The Elephant’s Dilemma,’ you highlight the importance of identifying problems to solve and building a supportive network. How can individuals effectively leverage their current roles and environments to initiate meaningful change, particularly in traditional or structured workplaces like construction? Which of the 8 strategies you listed most people struggle with in your context? Why?
Hi Chad, thank you for your question.
I am an advocate of Nehemiah’s leadership model and have adhered to it since my 20s. Nehemiah always prayed for everything and about everything. For individuals, it’s essential to pray before asking for anything or presenting an idea. My approach is to pray, thoroughly prepare, and then present the case. For instance, I developed a strategy to prevent last-minute construction work during holidays to avoid costs (such as triple pay for prevailing wages), accounting errors, and resource shortages. After praying and preparing, I presented my plan to my manager, who approved its implementation. I’ve noticed a significant difference when I pray before presenting an idea.
In the construction industry, which is predominantly male, preparation is crucial. It ensures that I am well-equipped to answer any questions and meet challenges confidently. Initially, I was tested frequently, but now my preparation speaks for itself. Building relationships is also vital in this field. I’ve observed that many people struggle to stay focused and committed due to various obligations and the immense challenges, such as government regulations and securing executive buy-in. As a result, some give up. This is the reality in the construction industry
Hi Shela, Thank you for sharing your feelings of being “stuck.” I remember you asking for prayer for this when we were eating together at the Malaysian restaurant in Washington, D.C. I did not forget this! I really appreciated your list of actionable strategies as you navigate this season. I am inspired by your efforts to persevere but still look for new opportunities. From your list of actionable strategies, which is the most life-giving for you?
Hi Elysse,
Thank you for your question. In addition, for remembering my prayer request.
For me it would be point # 6 Aim for long-term success, focusing on sustainability. I am not seeking for short term gratification.
Hi Shela, thanks for your post! I appreciate your enthusiasm and desire to continue growing in your career. I am curious if the 100-Year Life had any influence on your post?
Hi Christy,
Thank you for your question.
The book, 100-Year Life did not influence me much but validated my thoughts and long-term plans.
Hello, Shela, I like your post. It is so informative and clear. I find myself a lot in that position, asking myself what do to next. But my issue is always fear of doing something new or unfamiliar. I believe the takeaway from your post is a good guideline for some like me that fear change or the unknown.
You were talking about doing something new, would this be something in relation to your doctoral program? and what would an example?
Hi Noel, thank you for your question.
I understand the fear of stepping into an unfamiliar role. Despite having no construction background, I accepted this job 7 years ago – I enjoy what I do but the “stuckeness” is there. I prayed about it and trusted the hiring manager when he said, ‘I believe you can do this.’ Now, I am interested in transitioning to a corporate trainer position, which aligns with my doctoral program.