3 Principles to Audaciously Lead with Spirit

For the purpose of this article, I’m defining Spirit as the “life principle”, infused with breath “by a higher source, vivacity, courage, enthusiasm and vigor”, “true intention” and audacious as being bold, daring, fearless and not bound by a sense of shame”.

To lead with spirit in any given situation requires being audacious in being a model for well being and service. Sometimes this looks like not reacting to a zinger comment by a colleague, sometimes it’s gently yet assertively speaking your view or offering an opinion if asked, or not offering an opinion or bringing clarity to a situation or quietly listening in the midst of chaos. Whatever the moment, to be audacious in leading with spirit means being true to your higher self and of standing in a space of your true power.

After much thought on this subject, I realized that there are a number of principles to audaciously leading with spirit. Here are 3 of those principles:

1. Align and connect with your energetic essence and what you value.
to be spiritually centered.

When you are aware of what you value and is important to you, you have a center or base to respond in any situation. Your calm centered response becomes a model for others. Connect with whatever you call Source Energy and your core values to re-align yourself so you can be the leader you are seeking. This applies in every situation that you can imagine: to business, parenting, project management.You will then attract the people and situations you want in your life and be able to handle the not so fun ones that crop up in everybody’s life with more integrity and mastery.

2. Activate the Universal Law of Harmony:

As a leader, groups that have the intention of harmonious discourse and decision-making, create solutions more quickly than the opposite. First, you have the intention of self-harmony. Resolving to find balance through non-judgement of self, self-respect and mastery over your thoughts. You then have a base to extend that to others and collaboration is born of respect, honor and compassion.
One way to really activate this Universal Law is remove complaining from your repertoire. A great resource for this is A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen.

3. The Power of Love: send loving energy.

This is synchronistic with the Universal Law of Harmony. Of course, you begin with self-love which is the most challenging. By sending loving energy, you set in motion the ability to let go of your perspective and be open to the universe to provide unique solutions.

For example, you’re in a meeting and it’s not going very well. The temptation is to jump into the foray or sit there resigned to the fact that there will be no positive outcome. After centering yourself, send loving energy to each of participants or colleagues in the meeting. Think loving thoughts that all will be resolved peacefully. Even visualize everyone happy and satisfied with the outcome.

Try this with a variety of situations and see what the outcome is.

On a personal note, I used this powerful practice when handling a credit card charge error and it worked really well.

Coaching request: Where in your life can you be audacious in leading with spirit?

Much Joy,

Colleen

October 2008. How do you get rid of ANTS?

October 2008 Conscious Cconnections Feature article

While on my sort of daily walks, I’ve noticed that the ant hills are getting quite high. I’m wondering if we’re going to have an interesting winter here in Southern Arizona. Ants are very industrious and if you’ve ever watched them they are very persevering. There’s much to admire in their behavior yet if they get in your house or in your food they are quite annoying and can do considerably damage. There are lots of solutions to manage visible ants. How then do you manage those non-tangible and invisible mental ANTs? Yep those Automatic Negative Thoughts ( or sometimes called Another Negative Thought) that pop up every time we are called to go beyond our comfort zones, entertain a new idea or proposal, look at another’s perspective and when we are poised for the next step or level in our personal development. They stop us at the starting line before we even take that first step. They do considerably more damage that can actually last a lifetime.

These ANTs are also very persevering and come in all sorts of disguises:
“I don’t have enough time.”
“Who ever heard of anybody doing that in our family?”
“What if I fail?”
“What will people think?”
“I’m not good at that.”
“What if they say no?”
“I don’t want to embarrass my self?”
“That costs too much.” and the list goes on into judgement and assumptions of other people’s motives, actions, perceptions and behaviors.

These ANTs work on your fears of the unknown. They try to keep you safe in the routine and habits that are familiar to you. They are hardwired into your DNA so will always come up. So the best solution is to come up with an ANT management system that will keep you in a state of expansion rather one of contraction. When you‘re in a state of expansion you are open to the possibilities and can assess the situation from all perspectives and then make a heart felt decision versus one that leaves you feeling guilty or lacking.

There are a plethora (a favorite word) of ways to handle mental ANTs. One mentioned in the video on Change Your Brain, Change Your Life highlights thinking of the negative scenario in all its glory as if you re writing it down on paper then taking it to your virtual shredder and shredding it. This tactic worked for my husband the other night as he was ruminating on a situation when he was trying to go to sleep. He finally decided to try this method and it worked - resulting in a good night’s sleep.

One of the many methods that I’ve used is Byron Katie’s 4 questions. You take your ANT through these 4 questions:
1. Is it true?
2. Can I know (in my infinite knowledge of course) that it is absolutely true?
3. How do I react believing that thought? Where do I feel it?
4. Who would I be without that thought?
Then turn the thought around.

When you find your ANTs driving you crazy and you feel contracted that’s usually a sign to take a break and come back to the situation with more perspective and openness.

Your Homeplay if you should choose to accept it is: The next time you recognize an ANT try out the 4 question method or use your virtual shredder.
Please let me what your experience was like managing your ANTS?

Passion, Simplicity & Joy,
Colleen

Colleen Crook, a Life and Leadership coach and certified facilitator of the Passion Test™, is the founder and owner of Conscious Living Connection and the creator of the 9 step Living Consciously Program with passion and joy.She partners with forward thinking individuals to create what matters authentically and with integrity. Sign up for your fr^^ee mini-e-course on the 5 keys to Conscious Communication at www.consciouslivingconnection.com