Welcome back to Origin Stories, the place where we explore the unexpected twists and lifelong connections that define who we are. Today, I sit down with a person who fundamentally changed my path—my longtime mentor, Steven Wright.

Steven's own origin story is a perfect example of how life’s path is a creative, non-linear process. He is a high-level corporate consultant who utilizes visual planning and graphic facilitation to help major companies rebuild their vision. Yet, his deepest impact comes from a moment of unexpected guidance: volunteering for his nephew's high school robotics team, an experience that turned into over a decade of mentorship to young people in schools and beyond.

Steven's journey—from a competitive athlete who moved constantly to a visual planner who helps corporate executives find clarity—is full of wisdom on how to thrive when plans fail. We dive into:

• The Power of Accidental Mentorship: How a single, two-hour volunteer session can change your life's purpose.
• Leading from the Middle: A counterintuitive lesson from running track in college about affecting maximum change without demanding the spotlight.
• The Strength of Steel (and Swiss Cheese): Using the engineering principle of annealing to understand how the things we struggle with are the very elements that give us tensile strength and flexibility.
• The Joy of Keep Pedaling: Steven’s philosophy on finding balance, achieving flow, and grounding yourself when the fear mechanism is triggered.

This episode is for anyone feeling stuck, looking for inspiration, or needing a reminder that the best plan is often the one you discover by being willing to course correct every day. The stories of the people who come before us are the most important maps we have.

Show notes:

• Connect with Xhelan on LinkedIn
• Connect with Steven on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Steven’s work at The Grove Consultants International

Guest bio:

Steven Wright is an independent business consultant and a Senior Consultant for The Grove Consultants International, based in Seattle, Washington. With a background in engineering and landscape architecture, Steven utilizes visual planning and graphic facilitation to assist clients globally with strategic vision, team collaboration, and action plans.

For over 15 years, Steven has been a dedicated high school robotics team mentor, guiding young people from their time in high school into their early professional careers. This commitment to mentorship reflects his belief in helping others find clarity and flexibility on their life paths. He supports board retreats with graphic recording and leads web-based virtual meetings using digital tablet and graphic design skills.

Quotes:

“The goal isn’t to cross the line. The goal is to look around and say, wow, those things that I was aiming for that are a little more nebulous, those are the things that really stick.” – Steven Wright

“You need to figure out how to lead from the middle ... you run fast enough so the kids that are struggling to stay on the team think they can still keep up with you.” – Steven Wright

“I’m more like a high altitude expedition guide. ... I’m the dude who no longer climbs the mountains, but I know how to climb the mountains ... and I can get you to a place where you can’t even breathe.” – Steven Wright