The relay event in track has two key skills required, run really fast, and don’t drop the metal tube. The second skill is not terribly complicated but it is uncannily easy to mess up when on the largest of stages. We’ve all had that empathetic moment of horror watching the baton slowly slip from both runners' hands.
It got us thinking about the art of baton-passing in life. We like to think of giving advice as a form of passing a baton. Similar to the baton pass, you can’t hold onto it longer than it takes to deliver the message. You have to let the other person run their leg of the race or you risk the baton being fumbled as you try too hard to pass it to them.
Many of us find it hard to give our opinion, offer advice or counsel and then let go. We all need time to digest, and ‘try on for size’ the advice we are given. If you feel you are being hovered over or constantly “checked in” with, you don’t have time to sit with your own thoughts and feelings.
The next time you find yourself in a position to give advice, or even just an opinion or insight, pay attention to the moments right after you’ve ‘passed it.’ Can you let go of it and let it be absorbed and processed? Do you want to keep pushing and reiterating the advice? Do you overly follow up and check in? Pay attention next time and see what you discover.
To passing the baton
