How's the beginning of your 2020 been?
I’ve spent many days over the past few weeks angsting about the devastation of the current fires in Australia, and the continuing toll on the environment. And wondering what I could do to make a difference. And feeling powerless and small in the face of it all.
I’m thinking that something I can do is to bring more kindness.
Last weekend, I had the privilege of being part of a small community effort to help out a local business to clean out years of rubbish- broken chairs, and cupboards, dead white goods, and other junk, that had been left under the building over the years of changing ownership. With all the news of fires already this summer, it needed to go and it was a big job, an overwhelming challenge for an individual on their own.
There was a post asking for help on the community FB page and one by one, people started offering to help, volunteering cars and trailers. It was incredibly inspiring to see the page swell with promises of help. A full-blooded working bee emerged.
When I joined them on the day, and walked down the path to the area to be cleaned, it felt like connecting into the community in action - the place was filled with people in their gardening gear, organising themselves, carrying rubbish and stacking trailers. There was an immediate sense of belonging. It felt good.
It warmed my heart, and the outpouring of kindness has touched many in the community.
I also see it on the TV coverage of the fires – so many heartwarming stories of people helping each other. The one that stood out for me - a man who had planned to stay and protect his home, made the difficult choice to leave and stay safe for his family's sake, and thus lost his home. The thing that seemed to touch him most deeply in all of the devastation wasn’t the loss of his house and possessions, it was the hugs of his neighbours on his return - so excited to see him alive.
With acts of kindness, there’s a flow over and a strengthening of community connections and spirit. They become visible. You can even feel them. And I think they make us better people, or, perhaps we learn to appreciate what we already are.
Starting February, I’ll be running a Women Leaders’ Wisdom Circle, where you will have the opportunity to explore leadership from a feminine perspective. Like the leadership we have witnessed in Jacinda Adern. Leadership with love, radically authentic, and responsive, wanting to bring people together, rather than divide and blame, for the benefit of ourselves and others. And above all, we’ll learn to be radically kind to ourselves.
I’m Jill Currey.
I’m a coach and facilitator and have worked with hundreds of women to support their leadership.
I help you to realise leadership that is truly wise and avoid letting go what is important.
I specialise in working with leaders across public service, community and not-for-profit, scientists, academics, professional women, leaders who can shift culture and make a difference. Women who want to avoid operating from the hero leadership that plays on fear and disconnection.
Instead I will help you experience leadership that works from a different paradigm, that embraces connection, values wisdom, cares for the planet and our children and grandchildren’s future. I will show you how to connect with what is important, and how to recognise how culture impacts the expression of your leadership.