Mindful Leading – Step back to move forward

Step Back To Move Forward
– sometimes you have to step back in order to move forward. This is especially true when things are not moving as well as you’d like. Often it is best to pause, take stock of where you are and reconnect from the inside out.

This is what happens in a ballroom dance when the leader is trying to re-connect with his partner and re-establish balance. It is easier for the leader to step back and engage the follower by first moving backwards. This way the connection is renewed from a calm, grounded place. Then the two can move forward again with more strength together.

So how does this look for you as a business leader?

When goals are unmet or relationship problems arise, it is typical to react and want to do something to fix the perceived problems. Rather than helping, our concerns and active energy can influence the situation with additional disruption and chaos.

The next time you sense potential issues in your work environment, try stepping back. It may feel difficult and counter-productive to “leading” through the issues. You may see the problem clearly and think you know what is best. However, approaching from this perspective doesn’t engage others and may feel too forceful.

To help with this new behavior, you can ask yourself the following questions:

How would you respond if you stepped back, paused and observed the big picture?

How would you act if you came from a wholesome perspective knowing that ultimately all is well?

These qualities are part of mindful leading and what I call “moving as one”. “Moving as one” aligns intuition and purpose, while co-creating a new dance of interconnection.

Taking inspiration from the leadership and teamwork that are vital to mindfulness, energy and dance, I created Move As One and the 5 Mindful Moves™.

Synthesizing more than two decades of management consulting with a number of mind/body practices, I have found the 5 Mindful Moves™ results in remarkably enhanced performance.

Following is a quick synopsis:

1 – Presence – Map where you are and be present to what is
2 – Passion – Open perspectives and allow passion from within to refuel
3 – Purpose – emerge a Vision and clarify insights to establish a shared direction
4 – Partnership – Engage, express and take next steps together
5 – Practice – Sustain with support and ongoing routines

5 Mindful Moves™ aligns vision and performance by building presence, passion, purpose and most importantly, partnership. For more information about 5 Mindful Moves™ and my book, Moved To Create, please visit Move-as-one.com.

Wishing you a beautiful dance, Julie