Years ago we had the opportunity to work with Ben Zander, the author of one of my favorite books, The Art of Possibility for a YPO Global Leadership Conference.  Our theme was possibilities and we had to have the guy who wrote the book.

Since then I’ve been fascinated by the concept of possibilities - how to see the world as a world of possibilities and how to make them for myself and for others.

Possibility is defined as:

a thing that may happen or be the case; the state of being likely or likelihood; or a thing that may be chosen or done of several alternatives.

It’s clear from that definition that possibilities aren’t completely a sure thing.  But by focusing on these words, “likely” or “likelihood” I believe possibilities are something you make happen rather than happen to you.

It’s a word that feels more muscular than hope. While that has a deeply emotional and optimistic connotation, to me hope is a state of being rather than a state of doing. 

All my hoping for something might not make it happen, but possibilities are likely because they are a thing that may be chosen.

When we met Ben Zander I recall he wanted us to use the word “possibility” as our theme – not “possibilities.” Perhaps because the word possibility is seemingly infinite, but possibilities are specific and therefore, limiting.

To me they are both representations of the power of choice, the power of doing, and ultimately the power of leadership that is transformative for the individual and those they serve.

By articulating and acting on specific possibilities Outlaw Leaders move from vision to action, drive their whole being towards doing, and ultimately make the infinite possible by creating specific possibilities that impact the world.

Now more than ever we need Outlaw Leaders who bolster their hope by choosing to focus on possibilities.

To this day I wear a bracelet made by my partners at Relate South Africa with the word possibilities on it to remind me it’s up to me to make them happen.

I’m an Outlaw Leader™ with an  EDGE: Explore, Dream, Grow & Excite™ are you?