We facilitated a workshop about “Impact-Driven Leadership for the Next Normal” for a community foundation we are working with.
The workshop had a profound impact on the participants, as it delved into the neuroscience behind effective leadership and its relevance in the fast-paced modern world.
We began by addressing the significance of “CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP” in an era where rapid change is making it increasingly challenging for individuals to adapt.
The workshop emphasized the need for leaders to show up differently, particularly by leading within themselves. We went into the neroscience behind burnout and reactivity, plus taught about reactive states – where demands exceed available resources – can lead to low performance leadership.
“If we want to lead well in the world, the first place we need to lead well is within ourselves.
Dr Daniel Friedland from Leading Well From Within
We further reinforced this concept by presenting data from a Leadership Circle study involving over 65,000 leaders worldwide. The study revealed that high-performance leadership, as defined by the workshop, is strongly associated with organizational effectiveness, including ROI and profitability. This underscored the importance of conscious leadership for those who aim to make a meaningful impact.
The workshop encouraged everyone to apply the principles of creativity and reactivity to their own lives, so we invited them to interview one other colleague and share their reflections on 2 very important questions:
These discussions prompted healing and vulnerability, fostering a deeper connection among participants. Here is what 4 different people shared after
After the interviews, we asked for some shareouts of what people experienced during the paired interviews:
“My partner was very transparent. It opened my mind & heart to suggestions because of her vulnerability.”
“Healing occurred in this interview. It was very moving.”
“I didn’t know my partner well, so it was great to spend some time with her.”
“My partner shared maturity & self-awareness that was admirable & touching.”
The workshop also introduced practical tools to manage reactivity, with the mantra of “Pause | Notice | Choose” as a central theme. Participants learned a breathing technique called the Heart Connection, which engages the parasympathetic nervous system to regulate reactivity. By focusing on the heart area and cultivating positive feelings like appreciation, participants gained valuable skills for self-regulation and conscious leadership.
Overall, this workshop left participants with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind leadership and practical tools to enhance their effectiveness as conscious leaders.
