What is Conscious Leadership?
I got this definition of conscious leadership from a friend of mine Tim Peek. We belong to a forum of leaders that discuss, share and think about how to lead our organizations in very intentional, conscious ways.
“Conscious leadership is recognizing that we have the power to act at every moment. That we create the rules we live by. That we have a choice every moment to go along with what is presented to us, or to strike out on our own. Conscious leadership is taking only those actions that are in alignment with our deepest beliefs and in alignment with what is best for the whole.
Conscious leadership is choosing to act as our highest, best self. But it also is recognizing that there is something bigger out there that wants to be expressed through us, and that we can, in fact know, and be part of that bigger consciousness.”
Thanks Tim, I like that definition – especially the part about “something bigger out there that wants to be expressed through us.” When I re-read that definition, I am reminded and grateful for how the expansion of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville came to be.
I believe Conscious Leadership and “something bigger” emerge when there is a discipline and an observed practice connected to them. On an individual level, a practice may be prayer, meditation, exercise, etc., but there is a discipline associated with the outcome. No different for an organization and we have built practices around trying to see what is seeking to emerge from us at GHS. One of those practices is that every 90 days I meet with the senior physician and administrative leaders at GHS. I call it the President’s council – about 15 of us. Last Friday we met all day in the Board Room reviewing our progress on 2011 Goals, brainstorming on 2012 Goals, discussing the curriculum for leadership development at GHS, and exploring Conscious Leadership. We have a facilitator, Jim Dethmer, who helps keep us on track and guides the conversation – especially around Conscious Leadership. I will give a mid-course update on our 2011 Goals and let your know our proposed 2012 Goals in the near future, but today I want to focus on the discussion around Conscious Leadership and Commitments.
The Commitments are the gateways to help individuals and organizations shift to the next level of responsibility. Starting with a small group like the President’s Council gives us the opportunity to practice and hold each other accountable as we learn.
I commit to:
- take full responsibility for the circumstances of my life, and my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
- live from the belief that I have enough of everything…including time, money, energy, space, resources, etc.
- be the source of my security, control, and approval.What is Conscious Leadership?
- grow in self-awareness.
- see that the opposite of my story is as true or truer than my original story.
- see others as equals and allies who are perfectly suited to help me learn the most important things for my growth.
- fully express my potential.
- create a win for all.
- ending gossip in my life including speaking and/or listening to it.
- being the resolution or solution that is needed.
- say what is true for me and whom others can express themselves in candor.
- practice the masterful practice of integrity, including acknowledging all key feelings, expressing the unarguable truth and keeping my agreements.
- feel my feelings all the way through to completion.
- create a life of play, fun ease, improvisation, and laughter.
- live in appreciation – giving and receiving.
I got this definition of conscious leadership from a friend of mine Tim Peek. We belong to a forum of leaders that discuss, share and think about how to lead our organizations in very intentional, conscious ways.
“Conscious leadership is recognizing that we have the power to act at every moment. That we create the rules we live by. That we have a choice every moment to go along with what is presented to us, or to strike out on our own. Conscious leadership is taking only those actions that are in alignment with our deepest beliefs and in alignment with what is best for the whole.
Conscious leadership is choosing to act as our highest, best self. But it also is recognizing that there is something bigger out there that wants to be expressed through us, and that we can, in fact know, and be part of that bigger consciousness.”
Thanks Tim, I like that definition – especially the part about “something bigger out there that wants to be expressed through us.” When I re-read that definition, I am reminded and grateful for how the expansion of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville came to be.
I believe Conscious Leadership and “something bigger” emerge when there is a discipline and an observed practice connected to them. On an individual level, a practice may be prayer, meditation, exercise, etc., but there is a discipline associated with the outcome. No different for an organization and we have built practices around trying to see what is seeking to emerge from us at GHS. One of those practices is that every 90 days I meet with the senior physician and administrative leaders at GHS. I call it the President’s council – about 15 of us. Last Friday we met all day in the Board Room reviewing our progress on 2011 Goals, brainstorming on 2012 Goals, discussing the curriculum for leadership development at GHS, and exploring Conscious Leadership. We have a facilitator, Jim Dethmer, who helps keep us on track and guides the conversation – especially around Conscious Leadership. I will give a mid-course update on our 2011 Goals and let your know our proposed 2012 Goals in the near future, but today I want to focus on the discussion around Conscious Leadership and Commitments.
The Commitments are the gateways to help individuals and organizations shift to the next level of responsibility. Starting with a small group like the President’s Council gives us the opportunity to practice and hold each other accountable as we learn.
I commit to:
- take full responsibility for the circumstances of my life, and my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
- live from the belief that I have enough of everything…including time, money, energy, space, resources, etc.
- be the source of my security, control, and approval.What is Conscious Leadership?
- grow in self-awareness.
- see that the opposite of my story is as true or truer than my original story.
- see others as equals and allies who are perfectly suited to help me learn the most important things for my growth.
- fully express my potential.
- create a win for all.
- ending gossip in my life including speaking and/or listening to it.
- being the resolution or solution that is needed.
- say what is true for me and whom others can express themselves in candor.
- practice the masterful practice of integrity, including acknowledging all key feelings, expressing the unarguable truth and keeping my agreements.
- feel my feelings all the way through to completion.
- create a life of play, fun ease, improvisation, and laughter.
- live in appreciation – giving and receiving.
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