Why Leadership, Why Now?

Ever thought about finding your authentic you? Now you may be wondering, "what does that mean... I am who I am, and that is me." So, yes, it is true that you go out in the world every day, but have you ever sat down and taken the time to figure out what truly makes you tick?  What your strengths, weakness and opportunities may be?  In his 2009 Capture Your Flag interview, "Start With Why" author and leadership expert Simon Sinek answers why it is important and valuable being authentic in one's actions. Sinek highlights how truly authentic behavior - believing in what you say and do - builds trust, creates support, and strengthens relationships. View more at http://www.captureyourflag.com

 

So, are you convinced yet that finding the "authentic you" might be a good idea?  If so, keep reading, as I will be offering you with a variety of tools that will help you get to know all about you.

Words for Wise Living

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In thinking about writing this blog, I have been reading a variety of blogs related to leadership, coaching, happiness, personality, personal mission and vision.  Needless to say, there is a lot of great stuff out there.  Before I jump into the tools that are available to those that want to dive deeper into personal development work, I want to share a few links to some sites I have been surfing recently.

Tara Sophia Mohr is a coach, writer and teacher. Tara brings a unique background to the personal growth field. Tara’s blog on personal development can be found at www.wiselivingblog.com. Tara’s writing has been featured in numerous publications, including USA Today, Forbes, Ode Magazine, the International Business Times, The Change Blog, GoodlifeZen, Wisebrain.org.

Seth Godin has written thirteen books that have been translated into more than thirty languages. Every one has been a bestseller. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything.

Bioneers are social and scientific innovators from all walks of life and disciplines who have peered deep into the heart of living systems to understand how nature operates, and to mimic "nature's operating instructions" to serve human ends without harming the web of life. Nature's principles—kinship, cooperation, diversity, symbiosis and cycles of continuous creation absent of waste—can also serve as metaphoric guideposts for organizing an equitable, compassionate and democratic society.

And lucky me, even a few faculty from Bainbridge Graduate Institute:

Simon Goland has a decade of experience in information technology (development, analysis and consultancy) and over 15 years of experience in personal and professional coaching, creativity and innovation, leadership development, and organizational learning strategies. Simon was featured in Jaime Kowal’s book Waking Up the West Coast: Healers and Visionaries and is due to complete his Eco-Psychology Ph.D. in 2011 at the Institute of Global Education.

Lisa Capa is an educator, leadership coach and researcher. She inspires others to be grounded, centered and aware in order to discover and make meaning. Her background combines a working knowledge of the business world and the skills for leading a very functional life with a unique knowledge of attention and an immersion in creativity. These life experiences infuse my one-on-one attention coaching practice with passion and power.

I am a Leader

This past weekend, I found myself in New Hampshire with the current New England Regional Fellowship class of the Environmental Leadership Program.  The weekend was focused on Strength Based Leadership.  As part of their graduation ceremony, I gifted the group with this video.  The Environmental Leadership program celebrates the many faces of leadership within the environmental movement.  Here are just a few rising stars...

Life's a Journey, Not a Destination

I know, it is cliche.

But, really... it's so true.

When I was a child, I wanted to be so many things.  A veterinarian, a park ranger, a marine biologist... and the list goes on.  When I was high school, I honed my interests... and in college I sealed the deal.  Non-profit, environmental work.  After 10 years of not profiting (monetarily), I am starting all over again.  Looking within and figuring out what I really want to do. I have been looking for patterns.  I have been piecing together the puzzle.  And yes, it feels like a quest, or a journey.  I am searching for the path to my Right Livelihood.

Yet the more I look inside, the more I realize I want to help others with this journey too.  And I am taking steps in that endeavor.  In addition to being enrolled in an MBA program at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, I have recently enrolled in a Coaches training program called Academic Life Coaching. 

It is an exciting time, and I plan to use the blog as an opportunity to explore topics such as transformational leadership, coaching, training and teaching.  Who knows, at the end of all this I might just be one step closer...