I have found that self-realization through inquiry is a pretty impressive tool to naturally develop leadership soft skills.
The greatest obstacle to effective leadership is the thought that “they should” – when they don’t. These thoughts are what keep us ‘other – realized’ – meaning caught in a powerless position, where our efficiency, satisfaction, and self-worth depend on others.
Every single time I have a thought like this it causes me stress. It never changes them.
It just doesn’t work.
If I turn ‘they should’ to ‘I should’ a whole new world opens up.
When I follow my advice on what should happen, the work does get done. My staff gets trained, positioned, and appreciated properly. When I stop thinking that they should be other than they are I see what they are. I see all the good qualities of that.
An open heart follows my open mind. I feel connected to them. I like them.
This liking isn’t a quality that ‘I should’ have to benefit others – in liking them, I like myself better! I feel better. All emotion is mirrored in physical sensation. Happiness feels open, alive! Blame, complaints, and tension feel tense and painful. It’s all about me.
Operating in this self-realized, awake state of mind, I don’t spend energy on negativity. I am clear on my decisions, and I am open to input and change. I am sure in myself – it is a natural confidence that comes from the knowledge of what is best for me. It benefits my work environment immensely. It benefits my private life, as well!
Working on my self-realization benefits my leadership tool kit.
Well-being at work is an important topic.
If we want to create an environment that is nurturing, instead of exploitative and destructive, we need to put our well-being center stage. This, of course, includes the bottom line. Not earning money can be a very potent stressor for everyone. But studies are emerging – Microsoft in Japan, Norway legislature – showing that less work time might mean higher efficiency. This thinking is still very counterintuitive. And I think it will change. I have changed.
Self-Realization as a Leadership Tool
To me, enlightened leadership means making my work environment the center of my self-realization practice. It includes my work in my learnings. It is about waking myself up to an open, spacious, even unlimited mindset. Not as an idea, but practical, workable, with your work as your feedback loop. Imagine what you could do if you felt free and safe and connected to your work, no matter what happens!
We excuse ourselves from self-realization — the very idea of enlightenment seems airy-fairy, way out of reach, theoretically nice, and overall impractical. We don’t feel like we have enough energy left over after our busy days to spend on truly growing ourselves.
I get the thinking. I have been stuck in it for absolutely ever. And I am telling you that the opposite is true. You wake yourself up and you’ll have a lot more energy. You take the first few steps and being awake to reality becomes the biggest intoxication you can imagine. Sober, clear, fearless, happy. 🤩
Do you want it?
Go for it!
I have been told that it seems so much work to constantly be aware of my thinking, checking in with my emotions and with my motivations for doing things.
But – check in with your own life.
How is it to feel tired, powerless, sad, irritated, and frustrated – is it a lot of work?
The truth is we spend a lot of time and energy feeding or suppressing our dissatisfied emotional states. And then we go and defend them, on top of it.
If you want to model authentic behavior, personal excellence, easy enthusiasm, and natural curiosity (ie an open mind), I can only recommend self-realization. You can start by looking at your thinking, and using inquiry. You could meditate or use an intentional living practice. It’s all there, and it’s all easy to use.
If you want to be clear in your life, happy, fulfilled, and safe, you can’t wait for someone else to change. It’s got to be you.
- Use inquiry to create habits that serve you! Schedule a free call to get started here.
- Check out The Leaders Work Tools to transform your work life, and start practicing inquiry for self-realization as to your leadership tool.
