People tend to have go to dishes to bring to events. One of mine is shrimp with either cocktail sauce or pesto. It’s easy. Every time I bring it, a friend asks how I make the shrimp. Low heat, non-stick pan, a little olive oil. He’s an amazing chef and makes high end restaurant quality dishes. So it has surprised me how many times he has asked me about something that is pretty straightforward to me.

And that’s the thing. Sometimes what is straightforward to one person is not to another. Which means verbal descriptions are not always sufficient. Showing is better than telling. It’s a good lesson for us to remember as leaders.

A few weeks ago, scientists published their findings about how glass frogs become see through. Somehow, they are able to store their red blood cells in their liver. But doing that should cause them to die from lack of oxygen. And yet, they keep on going.

There are times in business when people will say “That’s not possible!” And that’s when the biggest breakthroughs happen. People find a way.

Last week was a wild ride from a weather perspective. Ice covered streets gave way to winds of 50-80 mph. As typically happens, many trees fell. Life on the trail keeps going. People climb over, crawl under or go around the downed trees. They won’t let the obstacle get in the way.

Many obstacles will pop up in the coming year, as they have in the past. How will you navigate them and keep going to achieve  your goals?

There’s always a lot to see on the trail. Sometimes the expected­–horses, dogs, people, streams, trees and snow. Sometimes the unexpected like the peacock a few weeks ago. Today, it was a little figurine sitting on a tree trunk amongst mushrooms. A little out of place, but a lot of fun.

These little bits of unexpected fun can be found everywhere. If someone puts them out there and others are looking for them. We often have blinders on to keep us focused. And sometimes the focus is so strong, we lose the fun around us. As business leaders, it is up to us to make sure we have those little bits of fun and encourage people to look for them.

A few days ago, I was heading down the trail when I rounded the bend and saw something that was totally unexpected. A peacock. Beautiful, iridescent blue neck and head. Flowing tail feathers. Stunning. And totally out of place in the Pacific Northwest on a 40 degree morning.

There’s beauty in many unexpected places. Sometimes, it just takes a moment to stop and observe and appreciate what is before us.

Last week, I was in San Juan. And as I was walking down the street, this rooster was standing there cock a doodle dooing away. He had a lot to say. And very loudly. The thing was, I wasn’t quite sure what he was trying to communicate. Marking his territory? Warning others of people? Something else? We spoke different languages. So, I didn’t understand his message. But that didn’t stop him from sending it.

Often times as leaders, we send messages out to others. But the people on the receiving end don’t always understand the message being sent. It’s lost in translation. And that’s the challenge we have as leaders. Making sure we are sending a message that people understand.