Well, I don’t know about you, but this week just gone was massive!
I started off in France on Monday, then came back to Wales on Tuesday. Wednesday, I travelled to Amsterdam and Stuttgart and then back home on Thursday evening. Friday, not really knowing what day of the week it was or where I was, I worked from home. On top of this, I presented 4 LinkedIn Live Audios for International Leadership Week 2023.
It seems that I’m in the middle of ‘March Madness’ as this coming week is just as busy. I have 5 full business strategy away days, as well as client board meetings to facilitate. That means I’m facilitating and leading from 8am – 6pm each and everyday. Phew!
Some people might find this tiring, some might find it daunting but I love it. I get ‘#NRG’ from having so much to do. Working in collaboration with lots of different people excites me. Helping individuals get clarity and seeing them take action to move forward drives me to do more myself. #PositiveAction
This is why I work on projects like the one I was asked to do last week.
Impact Innovation (a company I partner with) were recently asked to develop a Female Conscious Leadership, Knowledge Exchange Pilot Programme for the Welsh Government. The purpose of the programme was to develop and facilitate knowledge exchange on effective conscious leadership, between Wales and Baden Wurttemberg, Germany.
“When you can arrive at the point where looking and listening comes from your entire being, you are setting the stage to be an inspiring leader.”
Deepak Chopra, The Soul of Leadership: Unlocking Your Potential for Greatness
Conscious Leadership is defined as the process by which leaders become radically responsible, self-aware, and focus on building a culture of “we” rather than a culture of “me”. Are you thinking “me” or “we”?
A main principle of conscious leadership is ‘Above’ or ‘Below’ the line thinking.
If we are above the line, we are open, curious and committed to learning. We have self-awareness and are in a growth mindset. We are in creator, collaborator, innovator mode.
If we are below the line we are closed, defensive and committed to being right. We have a victim mind set. We are in threatened mode.
Are you “above” or “below” the line?” Are your thoughts, words and actions coming from above or below the line? Are you leading from trust or from threat?
“Only by knowing yourself can you become an effective leader”
Vince Lombardi
Working alongside Leap Insights GmbH, the pilot programme ran from January to March 2023. We took female leaders through a practical process of self-reflection, review, and (re)alignment. It included sharing leadership experiences with their peers. By opening up and sharing some of our more vulnerable moments, we allowed others to feel comfortable in exploring more difficult and sensitive areas. This built a bond, a comradery, an authenticity that breaks down barriers and connects people together for great good.
When was the last time you checked in on yourself? How well do you know yourself? Are you truly aligned to your deep why?