Gord Downie: a permission giver

I speak a lot in the work I do about being a permission-giver.

In Canada, we were recently with Gord Downie, of the Tragically Hip, as he completed his last tour while battling with cancer.

In his honesty and transparency he gave others permission to feel and consider their own mortality, courageously allowing himself to see and be seen. He didn't ask for us to take care of him. He did hold space for us to feel what we feel.

This is what great artists do. This is what great leaders do. This is what great humans do.

It is not our "put togetherness" that puts people at ease and allows people to feel safe and create, it is our humanity.

Let's be human, not superhuman, ok?