Scott Ormerod | February 29, 2024
In this issue of our newsletter:
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What is Leap Year?
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Leap Defined
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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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Scott Ormerod | January 30, 2020
It’s 2020! It’s a new year. It’s a new decade. And here at Leap Solutions, we’re particularly inspired, because it’s a Leap Year!
What Exactly IS Leap Year?
Introduced and adopted in 1582, the Gregorian calendar is commonly used and widely accepted throughout the world today. Our calendar year is based on the time it takes the earth to rotate around the sun. But while we think of one year as 365 days, it actually takes the earth 365 days plus six hours to orbit the sun.
That means, every four years, those extra hours add up to one full 24-hour day that we tack onto the end of February and declare “Leap Day” (February 29). Leap Years keep the world’s calendar in sync with the earth’s seasons.
Leap Year Notables
- People born on February 29 are considered “leaplings” or “leapers.” Technically, they experience fewer birthday anniversaries and can claim to be only a quarter of their “real” age. Actually (and legally), the years still count and the aging still happens; most opt to celebrate on February 28 during “common” (non-leap) years.
- According to folk tradition in Ireland and Britain, women may propose marriage only in Leap Years.
- In Greece, Leap Year weddings are considered unlucky for marriage; one in five engaged Greek couples will avoid planning a Leap Year wedding.
- Every year that is exactly divisible by four is a Leap Year, except for years that are exactly divisible by 100; those centurial years are Leap Years only if they are exactly divisible by 400. For example, the years 1900 and 2100 are not Leap Years, but the years 2000 and 2400 are Leap Years. Again, these periodic adjustments keep our calendar in alignment with the earth’s seasons.
Why Leap?
At Leap Solutions, we’re all about seeing possibility and creating opportunity. So besides being drawn to the name “Leap Year” for obvious reasons, we love the very idea of it—of recognizing and seizing the potential of a bonus day marking a special year. We want you to make your Leap Year count!
You can and do take steps in the right direction for your business every day…but why not follow our philosophy and take the bigger, bolder leap to next-level success? Leap Solutions delivers action-oriented tools, effective systems, guidance and support to genuinely empower leaders and enable organizations and the people in them to grow and prosper.
Imagine the ways you might leap in 2020 with Leap as your partner! You’re undoubtedly concerned about the ramifications of California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5). Are you confident that you’re in compliance and your company and your workers are protected? How about harassment prevention in accordance with Senate Bill 778…do you have a plan in place for scheduling and implementing quality, effective training programs by January 1, 2021? We can demystify these and other new laws and help you ensure that your company remains safe and strong.
Perhaps one of your leadership teams is struggling; they’re falling short of objectives, lacking consistency or experiencing a general disconnect. Or maybe they’re doing well, but you know they could make a greater impact with the right team training and development. Maybe one of your most promising leaders could be even more innovative and transformative with one-on-one leadership coaching, or you anticipate a change in leadership that could necessitate executive search services. You might feel a need to clarify your organizational path, better articulate your vision and more strategically position your company to truly fulfill its mission.
Whether it’s with HR, recruiting or organizational development, Leap Solutions helps you develop people, drive results and thrive as an organization. With our powerful evaluation, assessment and behavioral profile tools, seasoned insight and proven strategies, you’ll be able to identify and overcome challenges with creative, custom solutions; build skills and implement new systems and strategies for better communication, greater efficiency, enhanced productivity and markedly improved performance; and harness opportunities for short-range success while progressing assuredly toward your long-term vision.
How Will You Leap?
With any new year, we feel revitalized by fresh perspective and new hope. But this is no ordinary new year. You won’t see another February 29 for 1,460 days. Why not embrace the promise of this Leap Year starting now?
Together, let’s ignite your teams and propel your organization to the next level!
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