Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers — and as a counterpoint Tivo, which (until a recent court victory that tripled its stock price) appeared to be struggling.  This video really gets you thinking about our whole approach to business, leading organizations and our lives.

Taming the Tornado of Overwhelm

In part I and part II of this series we shared how we are facing a growing experience of overwhelm at work and in our lives.  There is just not a sense we are able to keep up any more. Further we highlighted that overwhelm is not so much a symptom of our times as it is a symptom of trying to use outdated means to be successful during the times we find ourselves in.  In short, these times are calling for a transformation in our approach to working and living.    As mentioned the earlier entries the biggest thing we are all being called to do is evolve how we relate to our own thinking, feelings and resulting behaviors.   The fields of biology, neurobiology and quantum physics are highlighting that our power as human beings comes from taking full responsibility for our thoughts, to take full advantage of our freedom we experience by making conscious choices (versus just being on automatic pilot) and ultimately to direct our success and happiness from the inside out.  In short, we are creative beings and today’s times are demanding we raise our game!

While the foundation for all of this must be taking charge of our thinking – there are additional core principles and practices that can be deployed to assist you in vastly decreasing overwhelm at work and in life.  They are the “GUTS^TM” of gaining greater control and here they are:

(more…)

In between Part I of our series on “Taming the Tornado of Overwhelm” Callie and I spoke about the important first step of overcoming the issue of overwhelm – which is to take personal responsibility for our thinking.   Yet, we also think it is important to highlight that our interest in this subject has been reinforced by what neurobiology and general biology (and Quantum Physics) is discovering about the power our habits and thinking have on our success, health and overall vitality.  The following two videos provide important insights directly from science.

In video one, Dr. Joe Dispenza illustrates how “neurons that fire together wire together” yet also highlights we can rewire these neurons by changing our habits of thinking, feeling and behaving.  In video two, Dr Bruce Lipton discusses his discovery that it is our thinking, our beliefs and not our genes that direct our long term health.  Very powerful presentations that turn a number of scientific assumptions on their ears.  These new scientific understandings have huge implications for anyone who runs or leads a business.  The implications?  Vision and focus are far more important in the success of our businesses than any sales, marketing or operations strategy we can deploy.  In fact, if we are not paying attention to underlying beliefs about our business and the market place – it does not matter how brilliant our strategies are.. they may just not work!  Enjoy the videos!

Dr. Joe Dispenza – “Neurons that Fire Together Wire Together“

Dr Bruce Lipton – “The Biology of Belief“

The Tornado of Overwhelm

Ever feel like you and your team just can’t keep up with your responsibilities as business leaders? Are you feeling exhausted and overworked? Is fear of the unknown economic tides at work compounded with stresses in your home & family life leaving you mentally and emotionally depleted?  If so, hold on! Because most of us do feel overwhelmed, and why shouldn’t we?  The worldwide economic downturn and ensuing recovery will mark our lifetimes forever. There is no way to ignore the rising cost of food and fuel, of the growing numbers of homeless people roaming our streets. It is frightening to realize, maybe for the first time, the thin line between those that are working and leading stable lives versus those that are not. The whimsy with which fate has deemed who has a job and who doesn’t is disturbing in its reckless, random judgment. Because the reasons that some are employed or not employed has nothing to do with a job ‘well done’ or not ‘well done,’ the criteria for working is not based on any kind of measurement of success.

(more…)

There is a misperception that Quantum Physics and Neurobiology are showing we have.  That misperception is that we actually see reality as it is when in fact what we see and how we interpret it is for the most part made up.   Of course, this confronts most of us and many will tend to reject this concept immediately. After all, if we fully embraced the idea that there is no true reality “out there” – what would that mean for all of those things we believe in that we no longer question?   On the other hand, if you truly embrace the research, it can be very freeing and can set the stage for tremendous innovation and creativity through our leadership and in your organization.   As a way to bring this home a bit, I invite you to watch this video from TED.   It provides some wonderful illustrations of how our perception is not truly seeing what is really “out there.”  Enjoy!