Leading from Center

In Standing in the Fire I explore what it means to locate and cultivate the place within each of us from which wise choice and deliberate action comes.  People have referred to this place as center, true self, presence, and inner wisdom. Whatever we choose to call it, I believe it is emerging as a new and important frontier for leadership training.

Organizations like Apple Computer, Google and Harvard Law School have discovered that leading from a place of self-knowing, calm, and compassion improves performance, increases creativity, and make us more effective at the art of influence.  In the face of uncertainty, conflict, and complexity our capacity to shift our inner state from fear or aggression to calm and receptivity is a key pathway toward high performance.

Recently I had the opportunity to study with Erica Ariel Fox, a gifted teacher who stands courageously at the intersection of business leadership and personal consciousness.  As we sat together over dinner, exchanging stories and ideas about leadership, we began to suspect we were long-lost siblings separated at birth.  You’ll see what I mean when you watch this video. If you ever get a chance to study with Erica, leap at the experience.