As you begin to read this article, please recognize the title one more time. “Lead From Within”. What you are seeing is a phrase and mantra that you should apply to your life and business ALWAYS. Why? As entrepreneurs or leaders, our work is an extension of who we are. By tapping into that ‘internal, softer side, still small voice,…The Spirit’, it welcomes a totality in our day to day lives. People that we interact with are touched and served in a much greater capacity. The value we offer in communication, team building, wealth building and personal relationships is greatly enhanced. So, why would you operate in any other fashion? I’m glad you asked.
If you are like me, we began our careers in Corporate America under a very rigid and masculine culture. We never questioned why things were done a certain way on a high level, we simply went along and assimilated. As a woman, it may have felt sometimes ‘out of our softer nature’, but you dare not say anything. I know I didn’t. In fact, I became (more)aggressive, decisive, and confident in my career, conversations and overall leadership. Honestly, those are great qualities to have. Do you agree? Fast forward to today and the past few years of running my own business; those same skill sets are certainly in play, but so is my softer side, my spiritual side, my connected side.
You see, Leading From Within is paramount for business success; especially women entrepreneurs and leaders. We are wonderfully created to be tactical/practical + spiritual. So, how to do so?
- Divine Time – As a female leader and business owner, we tend to gain our strength when we are quiet, still and can focus. That time may be early in the morning before the ‘house’ gets stirring around, before emails start flying back and forth and before you’ve had a chance to ‘go on auto-pilot’. What I have found works best for me to be my best and to give my best to others is for me to ‘check in with me’ very early in the morning. This may look like rising one hour before your alarm typically goes off. “Checking in with Me” means, having prayer, mediation, writing in my journal, listening to inspiring music and reading inspiring material. This divine time allows me to fully share my heart, release my stress to the Divine and to simply gain clarity for what the day holds.
- Self-Care – You’ve heard me say it several times, so I won’t beat this dead horse. Take care of yourself with proper exercise and food regimen. By doing so, you give your body energy and stamina to withstand the day-to-day activities.
- Communication Plan – What’s on your calendar for the day? Here’s where you get to bring in the softer/spiritual side, by approaching your emails and verbal conversations with more peace, more decisive action and more heart-centered leadership. You know why? This can ONLY happen by taking a moment to connect with our Source and invite Him into every area of our business or career. That’s how you connect. That’s how you lead from within…daily!
