Leap Year: Are You Ready to Leap? | Leap Solutions Inc.

Scott Ormerod | February 29, 2024

In this issue of our newsletter:

  • What is Leap Year?

  • Leap Defined

  • Leap Solutions Begins

 

WHAT IS LEAP YEAR?

Leap Year: 2024. Once again, the world literally catches up with itself by adding a day to the calendar. Have you wondered why we Leap every four years? The gift of an extra day evolved because:

  • It takes 365.242199 days for the Earth to complete its revolution around the sun.
  • Without an extra day in our calendars every four years, the seasons would fall out of sync.
  • With the seasons not in sync, the growing and harvesting of our crops would be impacted.
  • Without Leap Days, our calendar would be off by 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds every year. After 100 years, those hours would add up to 25 days, leaving us nearly a month behind the astronomical seasons.

These facts bring context to the logic of an extra day. While we enjoy the world honoring Leap Solutions with a special day, this gift allows us to ponder how we plan to use this extra day. We can utilize this day to reflect on our goals and appreciate another twenty-four hours to achieve them.

 

 

LEAP DEFINED

Have you really contemplated how one Leaps? Considering the concept of Leap(ing), you may recall the childhood activity of Leap Frogging or skipping. We may also consider the Concept of Leap as:

  • Literally, “springing through the air from one point or position to another”
  • Or to jump high or a long way; to move or do something suddenly and quickly; or even to increase suddenly and by a large amount.
  • Familiar sayings such as “Look before you leap.” “Leap of faith.” “Leap at the opportunity.” “Grow by leaps and bounds.” Giving ourselves the courage to Leap.
  • Or using faith: “Leap and the net will appear.” –John Burroughs
  • Or taking risks: “We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.” –Henry David Thoreau

 

LEAP SOLUTIONS BEGINS

When I decided to take a Leap in 1998 to launch my solo consulting practice, I was nervous yet confident, having faith in my skills yet uncertain of my future. I knew I had to Leap, not just take a step. As Thoreau opined, I needed to leap in the dark for my success. I was leaving a mission-focused job to embrace the risk of depending on myself and not having the safety net of a steady paycheck. When sharing the news of my decision with colleagues, the frequent question of deep concern was, “What if it doesn’t work out?” to which I’d reply, “What is the worst thing that could happen?” My reply to their concern for my well-being was, “Well, I guess I’d need to find a job.” This was a risk and a Leap I was willing to take, even if it felt dark. As I developed the firm’s name and brand, I settled on Leap Solutions. From my perspective, just as I did to start the practice, I wanted to help clients to take a leap not a step. Besides, curiosity about what “Leap” meant was a great conversation starter (no, it isn’t an acronym).

 

 

This humble beginning in the world of consulting grew as I joined forces with Chuck McPherson in 2004. We merged our solo practices to form Leap Solutions Group. During the twenty-five years of helping clients Leap, the focus has been to embrace opportunity, address challenges, and take a leap (not a step). This confidence-forward approach empowers solutions, not band-aid applications that need a new replacement sooner rather than later. In other words, we want to sustain the client’s results and shift their paradigm. The concept of Leaping is not just on February 29 every four years, but a year-round activity.

As you ponder how you’ll spend the extra day in 2024, consider taking a Leap, either on your own or with our help. We’d enjoy the curiosity and exploration to figure out the Leap instead of a mire step to your future.

 

 

Are You Ready to Leap?

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Leap Solutions is a diverse group of highly skilled management, organizational development, executive search and recruitment, and human resources professionals who have spent decades doing what we feel passionate about: helping you feel passionate about what you do. We are available to work with you to develop practical solutions and smart planning decisions for your organization’s immediate, near, and long-term needs.

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