I was very moved by the rescue of the Thai Football team. Was it that it was a good news story in the midst of the drama and negativity that shows up constantly on our news cycles? Yes.
And is there more we can learn?
Yes, I think so. I was inspired by a clarity about what was important, and courage in holding to that. I also saw incredible generosity on the part of the rescuers, the volunteers that showed up and the families.
I was moved by the evidence of what Brene Brown would call whole-heartedness, in particular amongst the boys and their coach - delightfully real and mutually supportive.
Leadership was across so many people, and the community seemed to rise to their biggest selves, in service and beyond ego.
The purpose was clear, there was a profound sense of love, and humanity shone.
There is much more, but a defining moment for me was realizing that the story also offered us another lens with which to view our world. Einstein once said“The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.”
I recognised as I watched, that I was possibly witnessing what happens when a group of people hold a view of the world as benevolent - the shift that Einstein regarded as our most important decision. This is our starting point. Our fall-back position. The unconscious lens through which we view the world and interpret what we see. Is it doubt- about self and others? Negativity? Looking for what’s not working, what’s wrong, assuming bad motives? Or is it appreciative, compassionate, open to others, even generous – what could be their best motives?
In Women in Leadership Forum (WiLF) we have been learning that as you know yourself, you become aware of the underlying beliefs that shape your leadership e.g. is the universe hostile or friendly? It’s only in those moments of awareness that you can choose to shift. This vital step in the development of our leadership enables our biggest selves to lead, by creating the mindset that allows true connection with others. Leadership from this core belief will create the environment in which people can flourish.
Come and learn with us. We’re running two platforms in WiLF in Hobart: Group A, for those who can only commit to one meeting at a time and Group B for those who can commit to a series of five monthly meetings.
Registrations are now being taken for Group A for Thursday 26 July, and Group B- registrations for Aug-Dec 2018.