as easy as... bumbling along

My self-talk this morning consisted of some harsh criticism.

Specifically: “Kate, you’re just bumbling around right now.”

I imagine I’m like many of you, and my relationship with my inner critic is long, storied, and complex. There are times when she overwhelms me. At other times, I see how ridiculous she is. Today, I felt the need to defend myself (to myself…). I also suspect that many of you may be experiencing a similar sense of bumbling as the first quarter turns into the second and the season change prompts reflection and shifting priorities.

Allow me to share a brief defense of bumbling.

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The word bumble does mean to move or act in an awkward or confused manner and calls forth comparisons to blundering, fumbling, and outright failure. However, there is a quality of pure exploration and productivity when we consider bumbling’s best representative: the bumblebee.

While its movements appear random, there are important factors that influence the bumblebee’s, well, bumble.

Environment

As we know, the flight of the bumblebee is driven primarily by the need to forage. Its apparently awkward movement allows it to scan the environment in search of food. The quantity and quality of food will naturally impact this movement.

If you feel like you’re bumbling along, ask: What is going on in my environment that makes me feel awkward or confused right now?

For my part, I know the transition to self-employment after decades in an office environment has created its share of awkwardness. Discovering what works and what doesn’t in this new setting has taken time—and plenty of grace. The bumblebee’s movement reminds me that even the most-subtle changes in my surroundings take time to acclimate to. And they demand self-compassion and patience.

Whether your environment has shifted, feels unpredictable, or includes real challenges, take a moment to reflect on what factors are impacting you. Then, assess whether or not you have the control and authority to make changes that will improve your environment. Consider a simple environmental scan, where you ask: “What do I control, what can I influence, and what is genuinely outside of my control?” This exercise can reduce confusion in moments and give you focus and direction to manage your circumstances.

Role

Scientists have studied the movement of nest-searching bumblebee queens—also known as foundresses. They’ve observed slower flight in these individuals. A bumblier bumble, perhaps?

I’m no scientist, but I do imagine a tiny foundress searching for the “just right” nest. She wants security, abundance, and comfort for her hive. She takes her time considering the pros and cons of each possibility. She explores alternatives. She pictures her workers and children first in one place and then another. She moves with slow deliberation until she settles on the best option.

Do you feel like your momentum has slowed after the first burst of New Year energy? As a leader, are you faced with a new challenge or a hard decision? Remember that big goals and new aspirations can create delays. Not because you are incapable or destined to fail, but because your role as leader sometimes requires the care and consideration of a foundress. To minimize the awkwardness a delay may produce, set clear timelines to track progress or reasonable deadlines for decision-making. Make these public to establish accountability and communicate the “why” behind each. This lets your team know that you can lead while faced with discomfort and uncertainty.

Life Stage/Phase

Even bumblebees have to learn how to bumble. Workers undergo orientation, have periods of exploration, and even achieve optimal performance. All of this begins with not knowing—with bumbling. At any point when you have the opportunity to begin something, to learn something, you will experience an inevitable period of awkwardness. Beginning gets bumbling.

In Beginners; The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning, Tom Vanderbilt examines the ultimate beginners: infants learning to walk. He writes, “Their ability to be bad, and have everyone be okay with that, is a crucial part of how they get good.” Babies are bumblers, and we celebrate them for it.

I know much of my feeling of bumbling comes from the steep learning curves any new business owner will encounter. My first job is to remind myself that I am not failing; I am learning. Learning is chief among my sources of joy. So, when I successfully reframe my fumbles and errors as the path to learning new skills and abilities, I am energized and excited to dive in and more than willing to face the awkwardness and confusion.

Are you a beginner? Are you bumbling through a new assignment? Maybe you are a lifelong learner? Remind yourself that learning starts with ignorance and inability—because these are the seeds of knowledge and capability.

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 Let’s be honest, the best leaders are this type of bumbling. Not constantly moving about with an air of confusion or without a clear direction, but learning and exploring at every opportunity. And inviting others to follow.

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