We ended 2023 without finishing the series on Leadership Values. The last value we explored was Influence in Episode 138. In this episode I touch on the value of humility (which we will revisit more in depth in the future) and share a couple of resources and a practice that may be helpful for you as you continue to learn to lead yourself and others well.
After spending the fall studying and discussing leadership values I spent some of the time between that last episode and this considering my own values and asking whether or not I am living a values focused life. I realized my top two values were in need of attention. In 2015 I participated in the Daring Way course that D. Brené Brown taught online. During the course she had us identify our values and then clarify the top two. This was a several day process for me. My top two values remain the same after these nine years: Faith and Creativity.
In reflecting on my life and those values I could see opportunities to make more of a time priority for both. Thankfully, these values overlap, much like we noticed in the leadership values. I’ve decided to adjust my time to allow more outdoor time which is where I connect best with the movement of the Spirit, and make more planned time for the creative projects I have collected the materials to complete.
Just this morning while I was on a walk I listened to first episode of 2024 of The Next Right Thing, Emily P. Freeman’s podcast. I was reminded how much I appreciate her wisdom and resource recommendations. I’ve been following her writing since 2013. She has never steered me in the wrong direction. Emily referenced an author she has learned from, Parker J. Palmer from his book Let Your Life Speak. I read that several years ago and it was a formational book for me as well. A quote she shared today is in the form of a reflective question and is one that I underlined:
Is the life I am living the same life that wants to live in me?
This is a values question.
Another leader whom I value shared a resource on her Instagram account. Dr. Susan David has studied emotions for many years. I first learned of her work from a podcast with Brené Brown. Dr. David published her book Emotional Agility in 2023. Check out her work and the Emotional Pyramid of Needs she shared on Instagram. Her pyramid is similar to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Dr. David’s is a great visual resource to refer to as a check in with yourself regarding how your life is being lived.
Both these resources lend themselves to a three step practice I want to invite you to consider.
Step 1: Set aside 5 – 10 minutes on your calendar for this practice (daily is ideal, once a week is a starting point) Sit in quiet without tech for your chosen time period
Step 2: Observe what you are experiencing in your body and your thoughts while you are being quiet
Step 3: Write down what you noticed (journal, make a list, bullet points, whatever works for you)
These steps may lead you to awareness of what is driving you rather than what is drawing you forward. Slowing down, being intentional about noticing what is going on inside you are practices that get easier and longer with time.
I’d love to hear what has come up for you! Please consider checking out my Substack at Learning Along the Way. That’s a great place to share your reflections and ask me further questions!
