Leadership Notes -- Thoughts on Leading People and Making a Difference in Organizations

Word count this issue: 285

Estimated reading time:  2:00

Greetings from the beautiful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia where I am safely ensconced  in our home here writing and coaching. I have been keenly aware of the fragility of our bodies. A family member had surgery last week and is mobile for short periods with walker or crutches. It has been a week or so of small but profound lessons for us. This is very frustrating for them, as puttering about the garden or going for a walk into the village are simple joys denied them at the moment. One of the comments I heard this week as they sought to pull themselves out of a chair was, “I wish they had given direction in preparing for the operation to work on our cores.”  

Work on our cores. 

Our cores are our centres: physical, emotional and spiritual. We need to be strengthening them, keeping them in shape. Often we are good at one, maybe two of them, but not a third. We are at our best as leaders, and as people, when we we are working on all three. 

Physical core strength is found through exercise. Yoga works well for me. Work with a teacher at first.

Emotional core strength is found through deepening self awareness. Working with a coach and or therapist works very well.

Spiritual core strength is found through contemplation and reflection. Working with a spiritual teacher or director/guide is key here too. Someone who challenges your assumptions and disrupts your comfort.

May this week, and the rest of our lives bring us strength to all three cores.