We cannot have a conversation about leadership without addressing what we are witnessing in this country.
What we are witnessing is the opposite of leadership.
Leadership is not about what’s in the best interest of the leader or a small few. It’s about putting the best interest of others, and the collective, first.
Leadership is about (a) having and (b) holding true to our principles. Not changing them to suit our needs.
It’s about raising our voice when we’re being pressured to abandon them and creating opportunities to help those who cannot push back.
Leadership is about doing our inner work to show up ready, willing, and able to support those we’re responsible for. Not to demand those we’re responsible for, stroke our ego and make up for our lack of competence and self-confidence.
To lead is to be part of something bigger than ourselves. It is a privilege and a responsibility.
To lead is to listen to, lift up, and amplify the voices of others. Not to strike their voices from the record or make them impossible to hear.
Leadership is about how we show up in the world, and right now, we need more leaders to show up.
So how do we show up when it feels like every day there is more chaos, uncertainty, and dysregulation (and may be for some time)?!
1. Strengthen Your Foundation
We first need to pace ourselves. This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Get your rest and hydrate, people! (I’m only half kidding)
We need to begin with our foundation (aka. the basics). Are we getting enough sleep? What are we eating? Is that giving us enough nutrition and healthy fuel to keep moving? Are we hydrated enough? When was the last time we got some exercise? What about the last time we sat still for a few moments and checked in with ourselves?
We can take these things for granted but when life gets stressful, they’re usually what get dropped first. That’s why it’s exactly where we need to start.
2. Nervous System Regulation
It’s a really good time to befriend your nervous system.
Most of us already live with a loaded nervous system, which means it is full of active and unmet stress. Stress will continue to accumulate in our system. If we’re not working to balance or offload some of it, our capacity (in all things) decreases.
I shared some specific tips on how we can regulate our nervous system in a previous newsletter. You can access that on the blog here.
When we understand how to keep moving towards nervous system regulation, regardless of what is unfolding around us, we improve our resilience to stress, emotional regulation, cognitive function, ability to attune to our intuition, and sleep quality… just to name a few.
Your nervous system relaxes and responds to the ways you tend to yourself. During this marathon, consider making tending to yourself a daily practice.
The result: we feel better and have more capacity to live and lead our lives.
3. Take Action
Consider investing your time or money into a group, cause, or initiative that is making a positive impact.
This can help offset how difficult it is when we feel powerless to change what we’re seeing. There are so many purpose-driven organizations doing great work – some which may no longer be eligible for government funding in the United States – and they could use your volunteer hours or donation dollars.
Being in connection and community with others also helps. And since doubt dissolves in action, give yourself something to do that feels good to be part of and has the added benefit of making a positive impact in the lives of others (it will also positively impact your own).
4. Uplevel Your Leadership
I cannot think of a better time to explore leveling up our leadership and expanding our capacity to live and lead.
I recently spoke at a professional women’s group about Leadership Alchemy and I’m grateful for how well it was received!
In my work, leadership is how we show up in the world. Alchemy is the art of transformation.
Leadership Alchemy is the result of bringing together our leadership – all our skills, talents, expertise, and experience – and weaving it together with our deepest wisdom, our intuition.
This is transformational work.
It is an acknowledgement of all the gifts we already bring to our life and work. It is this alignment with our innate wisdom that catapults us to another level of our leadership expression, one that is uniquely ours to share with the world.
One that is needed in the world today.
Are you feeling the call?
Perhaps you’re unsure how to act on it or uncertain about where to begin. You may be interested in Leadership Alchemy: The Program.
This 6-week program will unlock that knowledge and help you put it into action. More details below.
Image from Emma Simpson
Leadership Alchemy: The 6-Week Program
We Start on March 5th!
Leadership Alchemy is a 6-week program that will take you into a deeper exploration of all that you bring to the table as a leader, whether you’re in a formal leadership role or focused on leading your life. It will guide you to uncover and attune to what your intuitive wisdom has to share on the subject.
It is at this intersection of our leadership and intuition that our Leadership Alchemy resides. Understanding how to work with your nervous system is the key to unlocking it and activating it in your life and leadership.
If you’re curious to go deeper with this work or would like to learn more, I invite you to join the waitlist here.
Once on the list, you’ll be invited to the upcoming Open House and Q&A for the program, taking place live on Feb. 26th @ 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern / 11am AEDT on Feb. 27th over Zoom.
You’ll get a peek into the Leadership Alchemy program, be able to ask your questions, and learn if it’s a fit for you. A recording will be available to everyone on the waitlist.
The 6-week program will begin on March 5th over Zoom and I cannot wait to share this material with you!
