Lead From Within - A Reflection Practice
I originally created Lead From Within as a formal coaching framework targeted at aspiring or first-time leaders but have updated it here to work as a self-paced reflection practice.
The Interconnection of Health, Wellness, and Leadership
The timing of my move into leadership in my work aligned closely with my own personal search for wellness and wellbeing in 2020-2021. It was the beginning of the pandemic and I was doing a lot of the “lonely work” that I look back on today as so vital to my own growth.
Daily meditation
Journaling practice that revolved around asking myself questions
Reading stoic philosophy that led to even more questions and insights
Many solo hours on the bike with time to reflect
“What if I?” questions that led to major changes in diet, alcohol consumption, sleep, and where and how I spend my time
I probably went too far in some areas, but those themes helped me craft My Daily Practice, and the outcomes of that practice over the past three years have definitely had a positive impact on me personally, on my role as a leader, my leadership philosophy, and my team. Not to mention husband, dad, etc.
When you are at your best, you’re able to not only able to better serve others, but also to serve as an example for others.
This applies both professionally and personally.
For leaders who embrace this philosophy, I believe there is a multiplier effect for their teams. It's the realization that 1+1 can equal 3, and it’s the reason I want to share this self-reflection (self-coaching) framework below.
As my very first post emphasized, we can't effectively help others unless we first ensure our own wellbeing.
Personal Wellness: Preparing for the Opportunity Ahead
I firmly believe that leaders with a strong foundation of personal wellness are better equipped to serve their teams, setting an example for others.
For those under their leadership, this ripple effect translates to greater success at work and enhanced wellbeing at home.
I am inspired by this opportunity - to serve through leadership in a way that I am able to positively influence my team both at work and outside of it. I want them to go home and continue to thrive.
Lead From Within: Coaching
A little over a year ago I started working on a coaching framework, called Lead From Within, aimed at scaling this idea with aspiring leaders in my business. While there are many resources available to help new leaders better understand their new role, from personal experience, I knew there was not enough of a focus on how to truly be ready for the shift from IC to leader.
Lead From Within was intended instead to help them better understand themselves, and what fills them with energy and purpose (and what drains them of it), and to eventually develop their own Daily Practice based on what works best for them.
It was my hope that this self-awareness would equip new leaders to more-confidently embrace their newly acquired responsibilities as an opportunity to serve others, with huge downstream benefits all around.
Again, it's the principle that 1+1 can equal 3.
Lead From Within: Self-Reflection Practice
While Lead From Within was never widely adopted as a coaching framework, over the next few weeks and months I’m going to share the Lead From Within structure here in hopes that others find it valuable.
Getting Started: Originally designed as a coach-led session between two people, you can just as effectively approach it solo with introspection, self-reflection, and a good journal1. That was my original path and I believe it can work for you as well. The Key Questions and Stretch Assignments will probably be the most valuable pieces in this format.
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Tinkering - Becoming a Student of Yourself
Reflection - Give Yourself Space to Grow
Inspiration - Gasoline for the Energy Fire
Resilience - Train ourselves to endure challenges
Recovery - Recharge to Continue the Journey
The Daily Practice - Designing your personal daily practice
Thanks for reading,
Paul
Move forward. Stay in the game
The LEUCHTTURM 1917 notebook has been my go-to from the beginning. Thanks Brad!