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This leadership orientation is an active invitation to the wellbeing of individuals , relationships , organizations and communities , and the world . Nothing and no one is excluded . Presence , inspiration , connection and competence replace position and title as a leader ’ s tools . Brands , marketing campaigns , workplace designs , partnerships , financial metrics and the like become facilitators of life-giving values .
Getting There from Here
Leadership is being revolutionized with well-being values , and the journey can feel unsettling . How can a leader evolve this way of being and operating ? Over 25 years of working with executives , I ’ ve discovered Executive Coaching can help leaders shape the foundation from which they truly lead well-being .
How ? Coaching can empower leaders to :
• Build a personal framework for thriving . From this lens leaders can more effectively activate their energies toward aims that matter to them , plus navigate life and work . A personal framework for thriving encompasses a transcendent purpose , a vision of success for the whole of life ( not just career ), and the leader ’ s deeper values and strengths . When leaders use this framework to guide their decisions , the motivating force behind why they lead becomes more animated from within than from outside pressures or external measures of success . This is good for the leader and the organization . In the middle of world situations that are always changing , a personal leadership framework is a more sustainable source of fuel , meaning and fulfillment , and sense of security ; by leaning into this framework , the
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leader is less reactive to stress , less wishy-washy in decisions , and more comfortable in taking the risks needed for innovation and growth . A personal framework for thriving asks leaders to operate from their own expectations to engage fully in life , to bring their best selves to how they lead and to use their leadership power toward serving something greater .
• Cultivate personal energy . Nutritious food and drink , a healthy dose of physical activity , rewarding relationships , and good rest have long been known to enable human wellbeing . Leaders can use these tools deliberately to nurture and moderate the physical and psychological energy needed for leading well . A McKinsey & Company study of 189,000 leaders across 81 organizations about sleep and rest , for instance , found the amount of time a leader sleeps significantly linked to the critical mental capabilities — results orientation , seeking different perspectives , supporting others , solving problems — for handling an increasingly complex world . And unlike decades ago when one-size-fits-all strategies were in fashion , today we know it ’ s crucial to find personalized approaches to diet , exercise and rest that work best for the leader ’ s genetic makeup and unique constitution , cultural heritage and lifestyle .
• Develop a mindfulness muscle . Mindfulness is simply about being present , without wanting the present to be any different than it is . It is a way of paying nonjudgmental attention to the moment . Our work with leaders has shown that those with stronger mindfulness skills are better able to manage stress proactively , turn to networks of
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support when they need it , rise above immediate crises with new and positive perspectives , use humor to diffuse stress in vital moments , and use higherorder values , such as purpose and meaning , to cope with demanding situations . Strategic research at universities such as INSEAD has also shown leaders ’ mindfulness skills linked to responsibility , wisdom , forgiving , inner harmony , social responsibility , unity with nature and other transcendental values , all part of the larger well-being revolution underway .
• Connect with enlightened others . Connecting with others on the journey of leading wellbeing helps leaders get out of their mental , emotional , organizational and cultural comfort zones , even for a brief time , and tap into the visionary drives of others . For example , we ’ ve asked leaders to participate in social innovation events and energizing startup forums , read inspiring well-being leadership stories , and use the doorway of well-being proactively to provoke conversations with inspired peers , customers and community partners . Consistently , leaders gain a clear conviction : The deeper desire to use the path of leadership to serve well-being is a legitimate , global movement with a reach at work , at home and in every corner of society .
Leaders who are effective for today and tomorrow seek to nurture the conditions where people and the planet thrive . Amidst the complexities of our world , this leadership path is certainly a challenge , yet it is also inherently sacred , satisfying and worthwhile .
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Coaching World 15 |