Leadership – The New Paradigm

I regularly participate in transformative gatherings with leaders from a various sectors – from education to law, wellbeing to animal science.

Even though I’m playing a significant part, every time we meet I feel the experience is medicine for my soul; I leave feeling reconnected and restored.

We reimagine businesses.  We purposefully create our businesses how we want them.  We talk, laugh, walk in nature, eat nourishing food and along the way celebrate the mystery of life.

Why do these gatherings touch my soul in such a profound way?  Because the wisdom shared is simple, profound and human-led.

Our interconnectedness is inextricable

We think of our connection with each other.  But, we are part of life’s fine-tuned web.  Immersing ourselves with the earth’s relatives – the animals, birds, trees, rivers and rocks we see how we are all connected.  Same when leading our busineses – every person has a vital role to play.

We rely on other people and animals for our emotional, practical and functional support.  In turn, they rely on us.  We may be part of earth’s carefully crafted ecosystem, but we too are our own ecosystem.  Our bodies host millions of microscopic creatures as well as viruses, fungi and microbiome all needing to be carefully balanced.  We all depend on oxygen in the air to breathe and sustain life.

It is often said by indigenous elders that “Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”

With this backdrop to our business transformation we truly can develop thriving people and businesses that are peaceful, purposeful and profitable.

Better Leadership Develops an Interconnected Worldview

If we truly want to improve mental health at work whilst growing businesses, it’s time to truly understand the fine web of interconnectedness in ourselves, our businesses and across the globe.

Tomorrow’s leaders are aware of the paradigm of interconnectedness today.

Our perception shapes our world view and how we show up every day.  The deep divide with ourselves – mentally and physically – and between our natural world is an outdated paradigm that no longer serves us well.  Yesterday’s story has fueled isolation, loneliness, dis-ease, lack of purpose, no meaning, disenchantment and burnout at work and in our lives.

I’ve been immersed in wisdom traditions for most of my life, from Native Americans to Himalayan Yogic traditions and the message is remarkably similar – separation is an illusion.

When we refocus the lens through which we view the world, and see ourselves as a small, integral thread in our abundant living systems, then the misery of loneliness and separation softens.  Our nervous systems relax, mind softens and we are then more able to see the opportunities, innovations and structures that foster a thriving, sustainable environment for people.

Our leadership becomes inspired by wisdom and a catalyst for the regenerative potential of people and the planet to thrive.

If you are seeking to be more successful in your business being stuck in yesterday’s paradigm no longer makes sense.

Here’s the first, small pratical step…

Here I draw upon my lifelong training of mindfulness, meditation and mind-body practice and offer this simple mindfulness practice as an experiment to shift your awareness:

Go outside in nature, if that is possible for you.
Turn your attention to the world around you and your surroundings.

As you inhale, become aware that the trees have cleaned the air that supports your breathing.
Be grateful. Silently thank the trees. 

As you exhale, become aware that the bird song help uplift your spirits and relieve your mental fatigue.
Be grateful.  Silently thank the birds.

As you inhale, become aware of the sun and without it we would not be living.
Be grateful.  Silently thank the sun.

As you exhale, become aware of your feet on the earth and be reminded of the stable ground amidst the constant change.
Be grateful.  Silently thank the earth.

Notice, the effect this simple practice has on your experience in this moment.  The power lies in taking your observations of the interconnections back to your place of work and developing strategies to support the world we are part of.

📸 Photograph is from the Glyderau range of mountains in northern Snowdonia.

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