As we come towards the end of 2020, we can pause to reflect on what has certainly been a year to be remembered and think about our intentions and hopes going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are currently living through a remarkable time in our collective history.\u00a0 Containing and treating the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has created an unprecedented set of circumstances that has had an enormous impact for many friends and colleagues around the world.\u00a0 It has been new territory for all of us, both in dealing with the practical tasks associated with addressing the public health challenge; and in managing the emotional impact caused by its scale and immediacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know many of you have been impacted through personal illness, the illness or loss of loved ones, strain on mental health and wellbeing, threats to livelihood and very uncertain futures.\u00a0 For many of us it\u2019s new to experience our countries in turmoil, and it is very challenging to maintain a sense of perspective amidst the uncertainty.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to recognise that during the pandemic and the collective response to it, there have also been many other things going on this year. \u00a0We\u2019ve seen widespread political chaos, gross inequalities and injustices in health and economics, further environmental degradation, and a spotlight on the endemic racism and institutionalised violence that is so deeply rooted in many of our social and political systems.\u00a0 I am sure many of you have also experienced plenty of local crises and personal challenges that have contributed to making this a very challenging year indeed.<\/p>\n
And there have also been opportunities for joy. Personal experiences that have provided a sense of positivity, hope and meaning.\u00a0 Every-day \u201clife goes on\u201d experiences where we\u2019ve touched happiness, humour and beauty. \u00a0Collective opportunities where we\u2019ve demonstrated kindness for each other; where in groups we\u2019ve come together to support important causes and take a stand for what is important; and where facing enormous challenges people have pulled together to take care of each other beyond personal benefit or gain.\u00a0 In difficult times the human spirit can also soar, expressing more of its collective nature through the qualities of Love and Goodwill.<\/p>\n
As we begin a new calendar year there\u2019s an opportunity to recognise our personal capacity for leadership, beginning with self-awareness and how we lead ourselves.\u00a0 You could say that there has never been a better time to consider our relationship to the quality of individual and collective leadership we express.<\/p>\n
What we focus on and how we direct our attention is an act of Will.\u00a0 How we face ambiguity and hold in our awareness our choice to regulate the quality of leadership we embody requires maturity.\u00a0 It seems to me that our communities are crying out for more centred people who are focussed on expressing compassionate leadership.<\/p>\n
Being just a little more centred, and making more conscious choices about what you do and say, and where you focus your attention, will make a difference for yourself, others and the communities we are part of.<\/p>\n
Current events present a unique opportunity to actively reflect on, plan and take action for the kind of leadership that we want to contribute to as the future unfolds.\u00a0 In this period where many have paused or changed their usual day to day activities, there\u2019s an opportunity to encourage deeper consideration of who we are and what we value, both individually and as a wider collective.<\/p>\n
I encourage you to use this time of passing into a new year to reflect on the year that has been and consider the year that will come, with all its uncertainty, and focus on how you want to express yourself during it.\u00a0 There is no doubt in my mind that our communities need people of good will with open hearts to take a stand about what is important to them, to share it with others and collectively make a positive impact.<\/p>\n
With this in mind I offer below some of the core leadership principles for your consideration.\u00a0 They represent for me a \u201cback to basics\u201d approach, and are phrased as an opportunity to think about the concept, reflect how you\u2019ve been living it, and consider intentions for the coming year.<\/p>\n
While there is no certainty in the coming year, you can consciously choose how you want to be, how you want to express leadership, and what you want to take a stand for.<\/p>\n
Take some time to reflect on \u201clistening with an open heart\u201d.\u00a0 Through listening to each other we create opportunities for people to be truly recognised, valued and heard.\u00a0 Listening with an open heart creates space for acceptance and understanding, where insight and creativity can emerge.\u00a0 Being listened to helps us to order our thinking, process strong emotions and gain a sense of perspective.\u00a0 Choosing to listen with an open heart is an act of leadership which can support people to access their inner wisdom while creating space for healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take some time to reflect on your connection with \u201ccompassion for self and others\u201d.\u00a0 As we move into a new cycle, we have an opportunity to create space to recognise how recent events have impacted ourselves and others.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to acknowledge that how we feel is likely to be very different depending on our circumstances.\u00a0 Offering kindness and understanding transcends the judgements of a right or wrong valuing of experience. Choosing to bring an attitude of compassion is an act of leadership and real service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take some time to reflect on how you have been \u201ctaking responsibility for your inner world\u201d.\u00a0 Uncertainty and complexity can play havoc with our thoughts and feelings. While it is right and healthy to respond authentically to whatever is activated, we can consciously work with what is emerging and use it to learn more about our inner world, our patterns and habits.\u00a0 Being aware, and owning our projections is a way of taking responsibility.\u00a0 Choosing to take responsibility for your thoughts and feelings is an act of leadership and an opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take some time to reflect on the concept of \u201cstaying in relationship with things that are uncomfortable\u201d.\u00a0 We don\u2019t like not knowing, and we can easily collapse into right and wrong thinking in an effort to create a false stability.\u00a0 Staying centred while managing the dissonance of not knowing, and holding multiple narratives while dealing with an uncertain future requires maturity. \u00a0Choosing to stay engaged with what\u2019s uncomfortable is an act of leadership which can be a catalyst for new thinking that is potentially more inclusive and creative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take some time to reflect on how you have been \u201cappreciating resourcefulness\u201d.\u00a0 In times of uncertainty, it is so easy to fall into lack-based thinking.\u00a0 We can regress to focus on what is missing, what we can no longer do, and what is not working; while it takes discipline to adopt an appreciative mindset, seeing what is working, and recognising where people are making a difference.\u00a0 Taking control of our thinking and appreciating resourcefulness in ourselves and in others is an act of leadership that builds confidence, creates space for innovation and empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take some time to reflect on how engaged you have been with \u201cthe power to begin again\u201d. When things don\u2019t feel like they are changing, it\u2019s easy to become passive, making discontent the norm. While you may not be able to change your outer circumstances, at any time you can make a choice to change the way you are relating to it; or to make a plan and change it as is needed.\u00a0 Consciously using your Will to re-evaluate and start again is an act of leadership that brings agility, supports adaptability and builds resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take some time to reflect on the idea of \u201cinfluencing positively\u201d.\u00a0 We influence each other all the time; what we do and how we do it does affect others either both directly and indirectly.\u00a0 The words we choose, the actions we take, and the emotions we radiate, can lift up, pull down, inspire and discourage.\u00a0 The challenge is to express yourself authentically, while aiming to influence positively rather than causing harm.\u00a0 Choosing to be consciously aware of your impact on others is an act of leadership that creates opportunities for positive influencing and collective growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many ways of reflecting and intention setting and it really comes down to what works for you. Some useful alternatives include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever works for you, I hope you enjoy the process.\u00a0 The important thing is to do something to reflect on your experience and continue to evolve in your capacity for self awareness and leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Thank you<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I appreciate that all of you are already playing a leadership role in many different ways.\u00a0 I hope that in the coming year you can continue to engage with the many opportunities to further develop your understanding of yourself and the leadership contribution that you can make.\u00a0 At this particular time in our collective history, my sense is that the world needs as many of us as possible to consciously lead ourselves and positively influence each other to make changes that can serve all of humanity.\u00a0 Thank you for the work you are doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My very best and warm wishes for the coming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andrew McDowell, December 2020<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As we come towards the end of 2020, we can pause to reflect on what has certainly been a year to be remembered and think about our intentions and hopes going forward. We are currently living through a remarkable time in our collective history.\u00a0 Containing and treating the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has created […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2879,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n