Pottery surprise and life metaphor

A black-and-white close-up of hands shaping clay into a bowl on a spinning pottery wheel representing the slow, intentional, and deeply present process of identity formation that parallels the inner work of authentic leadership development
by

Throwing pottery has been on my “want to try that someday” list for many years.

I was at an Airbnb in Virginia a personal retreat this weekend- I try to build these into the rhythm of my work life but balancing retreat time with important reflection, vision-casting, honest check-in’s.

Little did I know that my chosen pursuit would meet surprise pursuit in the same weekend!

The gravel road that led to my Airbnb continued upward with a sign reading “Grim Pottery” and in need of a break, I drove up and up. As I got closer large pieces of functional pottery in various colors indicated the path. And then a clearing, a log home, garden, chickens and a sign “Studio/Shop” with an arrow to the basement.

My hope was simply to have a chance to look around, that it would be open on a Saturday and that I might find a unique small piece to commemorate my retreat weekend.

The shop was open and Debbie greeted me warmly. As we talked, she motioned me to the wheel, placed a bat, and wedged a piece of clay (I even learned the lingo!) And THEN she handed me an apron, motioned me to the wheel and graciously instructed

Keep your hands wet.

Attach your arm to the wheel edge or your body.

Slowly… slowly…

And she made it look

so.

Very.

Easy.

I loved it. Even the flops – the time my edge caved in. the time she had to get a new ball of clay and center it for me because my flop was…. as she said, “Unrecoverable.”

Many have written of the metaphors of this ancient art. For me, I am savoring the gift of surprise pursuit, the chance to do something for the first time – I never want to stop growing in the opportunity to learn from flops.

It’s not easy for Enneagram 1’s to flop when our motivation is goodness and rightness at all costs. As I support coachees and leaders and teams, I remind them of the need for safe spaces to flop – the stakes for mistakes are high in many industries – but knowing we have master potter leaders who recognize the connection between safety and performance and innovation allows us to grow through the flops.

And now I’m going to need a pottery wheel for my office!

1234 Optimized
Contact Natalie
Learn more about Dr. Pickering

Related Posts

A balanced scale symbolizing the delicate leadership equilibrium between empathy and boundaries that fosters psychological safety and team performance

Finding Your Leadership Sweet Spot: Balancing Connection and Boundaries

We often think of leadership in terms of strategy, execution, and achieving results. But in today’s dynamic work environment, something more nuanced is required for the relationships you lead: emotional precision. At the heart of effective leadership lies the delicate art of balancing genuine human connection with clear professional boundaries – a “sweet spot” that ... Read more
A cocoon in mid-transformation symbolizing the uncertain, fertile in-between space of liminality that leaders and teams must navigate during meaningful organizational change

Beyond the Model: Where Liminality Meets the Stages of Change

When organizations embark on change, they usually reach for familiar tools: Gantt charts, strategy decks, maybe even a change curve. These are essential and I recommend them. But I find that rarely do we initiate or encourage talk about what change feels like—that strange terrain where the old ways no longer work, and the new ... Read more
A leader engaged in a warm, attentive conversation with a colleague, illustrating how empathetic leadership and strong authority are not opposites — but complementary forces that build trust, respect, and high-performing teams

How to Be an Empathetic Leader Without Losing Authority

Empathy is an essential leadership skill, strengthening relationships, building trust, and improving team morale. Yet many leaders hesitate to lean into empathy for fear of seeming weak or overly accommodating. Striking the right balance between understanding and authority is key to maintaining leadership effectiveness. Empathetic leadership does not mean lowering standards or avoiding difficult conversations. ... Read more
Several white arrows rising upward at different angles against an orange background, symbolizing the accelerated and multifaceted leadership growth that emerges when leaders invest in collaborative coaching communities and peer-driven development

How Collaborative Coaching Communities Accelerate Leadership Growth

Leadership growth is not a solitary journey. While personal effort and self-reflection are essential, some of the most significant breakthroughs come from engaging with others. Collaborative coaching communities offer a dynamic, supportive environment where leaders can grow together through shared experiences, accountability, and collective problem-solving. By participating in these communities, leaders gain fresh perspectives, develop ... Read more
A macro shot of the dictionary definition of "Leadership," highlighted in pink, representing a self-assured leader turning criticism into personal growth

Turning Criticism into Opportunities for Leadership Growth

Criticism is an inevitable part of leadership. Whether it’s from peers, subordinates, or superiors, every leader will face negative feedback at some point in their career. While criticism can be challenging to hear, it is also a valuable opportunity for growth and development. By learning how to turn criticism into constructive feedback, leaders can enhance ... Read more
Previous 12

Ready for fulfilling life and leadership?

Commit to growth

Start Now