Driving
forward may be holding you
back! ![3D"back](3D"aug07_files/image004.jpg")
<=
/span> Never
before had I heard that you could be the most physically
powerful by lying on the ground on your back. The vision =
of a
struggling turtle flailing its little legs to get back upright is
perhaps the image that comes to me as I think about this
position. Weak and vulnerable.
Boy was I wrong. On your back with legs up in kick
position is the power position in Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu. How
counterintuitive!
Bringing your attacker closer to you or turning towards, not a=
way
from, your nemesis becomes a source of power. How
counterintuitive!
I was intrigued by these principles. And yet, from a leadersh=
ip
viewpoint, they were not entirely foreign to me. <=
/span>
Much like a seemingly vulnerable position might bring you physical
power, the same is true about leadership. The best and
most powerful leaders are vulnerable. The best and most power=
ful
leaders are receptive and flexible, not directing and
rigid. It is through this vulnerability and receptivity =
that
they achieve the ability to influence and to become powerful in the=
ir
lives and careers.
The seven key leadership insights outlined
in my upcoming book, "The Connected and Committed
Leader" are counterintuitive. I use the imagery=
of
a palm tree to depict the strength of flexibility. The palm t=
ree
bends to the harsh winds and power of a hurricane and prevails.&nbs=
p; A
harder, seemingly more "powerful" tree would break and cr=
ack
under these conditions.
This is true for leading our lives. When we =
are
so fixed and rigid in our ways, we don't bend to the needs and
wants of life, our careers or others. We aren't in a position=
to
lead if we aren't willing to be receptive and yield to the will of
others. This is one example of a counterintuitive ski=
ll
that is essential for effective leadership.
I
learned this the hard way. I had always been hard driving and=
not
always flexible. It was only when I found myself exhaust=
ed
and burnt out from pounding on the walls to get my way that it
dawned on me that there had to be a more effective way.
Ironically, when I surrendered and allowed things to happen as they
should, there was magic. I got what I wanted and as a result,=
I
was a lot more relaxed and not nearly as exhausted. It was
counterintuitive! Retreat to move forward?&n=
bsp;
Yes.
What about you? Do you ever wonder why you aren't
getting what you want despite your pushing and driving forward. Take a step back and
retreat. Bend like a palm tree and be receptive as opposed to
driving your agenda. Get out of your own way. Magic can
happen when you embrace the power of counterintuitive leadership and
you too can get what you want without forcing your way through
it.
Happy
Bending!
Laura
<=
/o:p>
Learn
how to incorporate leadership in your life to further enhance your
success. Be one of the first to order Laura's upcoming book
"The Connected and Committed Leader" which will be availa=
ble
in early October.
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