Q: The Path Not Taken? Answer: The Direct Route.

Years ago, I was part of a distinguished group that was asked, "What was your path not taken?" When the question arose —years later, I thought—I would share the earlier perspective before I answered it circa 2024. Below is my lightly edited response, originally published on Linkedin in December 2018.

Our effervescent, elegant, accomplished host asked, “What was your path not taken?”

I can still recall observing people as they mentally started to sift through the map of the career and life decisions that led them to this room at the top of a corporate tower with a group of inspiring and accomplished leaders.

My mind did not retrieve that map. I did not think about which job, which move, or which decision was the figurative path that altered my destiny. I immediately thought, "The straight one; I didn't take the straight path.” (Not to be confused with the straight and narrow.) I took the twisty path.

As a child, when most of life was "happening to you," I was deposited on a twisty path. (Sit here for a while, don't wander off, be good—the adults are going to figure this out.) I was curious and, like most children, not particularly patient, so I began to observe, explore and may have wandered.

I figured out how to focus and navigate the turns, hills, and the occasional cliff. The terrain was challenging, and it made me adaptable, strong, and fast at a young age. Over time, I gained more confidence and control over my direction of travel. One of the adults caught up to me to redirect me and provide me with a compass and a map. I saw the straight, paved path I could now choose labelled on the map. It looked good, but my instinct was to thank them, hand back the map, keep the compass, and chart my own course. The wise adult accepted the map, smiled, winked and said - "I think you would be bored over there - keep going. I am watching - trust yourself - you will be fine."

While fewer people shared my less travelled path, the ones I met were interesting and often fearless. As time passed, many of these folks became "my people" and my guides. And never too far back was "my person," she kept watching from afar so if I looked back, I would know I would not climb the whole path alone.

Friends on the twisty path embraced change because the conditions and direction were unpredictable. They had an appetite for risk - if you did not occasionally leap when there was a gap, you could not move forward. They were strong - muscles developed as they pulled or motivated someone to climb when the path had a steep hill. They were creative and had vision of possibilities that you could only imagine if you climbed to a summit and saw a breathtaking view. They were map makers, charting a course that others could follow. Not everyone needs to blaze the entire trail.

Back to lunch - I enjoyed hearing about the "paths not chosen" - it was interesting that there were few regrets - just wonder and inspiration as these stories were shared. It underscored that there are so many roads that you can take to get to a great destination.

I admire the colleagues who took that straight path. I am interested to hear what made others pivot at a fork in the road to change industries, say yes (or no) to the move or promotion, or become entrepreneurs. I marvel at the people who are building a fulfilling career in one place—changing lanes or direction, rising or levelling off but not exiting to another path. This group has a rich shared experience one can't help but envy.

I wonder what life would have been like on a nicely paved route. I could have kept my heels on. In my heart, I know it was not the path for me. I needed the adventure, challenge, the highs and lows, and the occasional bumps and bruises when I lost my footing.

So, no - there was no single path I did not take... and that made all the difference.