Optimizing Self-Leadership

Author of No Bad Parts, Dr. Richard Schwartz describes seeing the “Capital S” Self emerge consistently over forty years with clients facing all kinds of challenges from those with disordered eating to those diagnosed with schizophrenia. In every case he could describe the Self that would emerge as one with: Compassion, Calm, Curious, Connected, Confident, Courageous, Creative, Clarity.

I’ve come to think of this as the real C-suite:

·  Clarity (knows what it wants and needs)

·  Connection (truly sees and engages others and the world around it, is present)

·  Courage (does the hard things)

·  Compassion (does them lovingly)

·  Calm (knows how to organize its energy no matter what is happening around it)

·  Confident (has laid insecurities to rest: knows its limitations and still sees infinite possibilities)

·  Curious (doesn’t draw judgements but asks "what else could be true” [credit to Marsha Clark])

·  Creative (has energy for bringing things into the world) 

So what ?
“The more you understand the human condition, the more effective you are as a businessperson,” says Philosopher and Consultant, and my beloved mentor, Peter Koestenbaum. And I would add as a human being. Who would not want to be led by someone living from this place? 

In Scaling Leadership, authors Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams argue that, “Leadership . . . reveals something universal about human nature . . . A critical prerequisite to effective organizational leadership is leadership of self. Optimal self leadership is the wherewithal to show up in our lives in ways that best serve our desired outcomes - loving families, strong relationships and friendships, work that matters, and futures worthy of our life’s commitment. Organizational leadership is scaling the capacity and capability in the organization to create outcomes that matter most - to create its desired, optimal, and viable future.”

Now what?
You tell me.