Business Fit Magazine November 2019 Issue 3 | Page 8

Business
1. Taking Responsibility
We must take
responsibility for
what we say, how
we act and what we
think
In order to lead, we must be empowered and
able to manage the situations we are faced with,
otherwise we are unable to navigate problems
and find solutions. When we blame, we are
effectively relinquishing any power we have and
any accountability that goes with it. When we are
in charge, we take ownership of any issues that
arise regardless of who created them and look
at ways to ensure they do not happen again. We
must take responsibility for what we say, how we
act and what we think. This is how we grow and
how we truly lead.
2. Having Emotional
Intelligence
A ‘soft skill’ that is anything but. It is imperative
to be able to understand our emotions, what
triggers us and why. We accept what we are
feeling, we recognise it and take the time to
respond in the most appropriate manner before
we react. Mastering this skill allows us to show
compassion and empathy for those around us.
Everyone knows making decisions when stressed
or anxious is not productive just as we know the
leader who reacts with irrational explosions or
by harbouring resentment effectively pushes
the rest of the team away. Here is where a
daily mindfulness practice such as meditation
becomes a prerequisite for leading from the
heart with love for those around us.
3. Acting Ethically
Integrity, transparency and trust are some of the
key values which define and motivate Conscious
Leaders. There can never be an ‘end justifies the
means’ mindset. Decisions taken must be ethical
and our intentions should be made known - not
only during negotiations but in our everyday
interactions. We must communicate openly and
honestly. We must say what we mean and we
must value our word so that others know they
can rely on us.
4. Constantly Learning
When we allow our ego to take a break, we
can admit we do not know it all. And in fact,
why would we want to? We are surrounded by
the opportunity to learn constantly and that
is one of life’s greatest gifts. When we listen to
those around us and learn from their different
experiences, outlooks and perspectives, we
can build our own knowledge base from the
knowledge which surrounds us. Opinions are
subjective – when we accept this, it opens us up
to a lifetime of learning. When we listen to our
team members, our colleagues and even our
friends, we foster collaboration, enthusiasm and
teamwork. We remove fear from the equation
and learn without judgement.
5. Letting Love Lead the Way
Recognising there is either love-based leadership
or fear-based leadership is what makes most
people sit up and listen. What legacy do you
want to leave behind? What change do you
want to create? What impact do you want to
have with whatever it is you are doing? All great
things come from a place of love – be it a song, a
poem, a building, a service. When you approach
everything you do with love, you can diffuse
tension and stress and allow yourself to see
the bigger picture. Conscious Leaders cannot
operate in a loveless void – it is one of their
principal values and the core element of their
being.
As humanity evolves, so must businesses. As
members of a global community, we must
commit to developing our awareness of what is
going on around us and take responsibility for all
we think, say and do. We are being watched by
our children, our peers, our team members and
as such we have the perfect opportunity to lead
the way by example. This power has always been
ours and is ours to keep. Let us be the change
we want to see in this world for the benefit of all.
Conscious
Leadership has
at its core, key
elements of personal
development
Artemis Evangelidi is a holistic business lawyer, trainer and author of
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‘Life. Thoughts That Make The World Go Around (And Up, Not Down)’. Artemis
works with corporate leaders and entrepreneurs around the world enabling
them to create their Conscious Businesses and giving them the tools they
need to succeed at every level. www.aipeia.com
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