Leading and Living From the Inside Out

 
In this Issue:

1. Message � Leading and Living From the Inside Out �Part I 

2. Learn More about Coaching and Resources for this issue

Welcome to Issue No.1 of Leading and Living from the Inside Out. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to family, friends and colleagues. And I thank you in advance for your recommendations.

Ten Skills for Leading and Living from the Inside Out----- Inside-out means to shape decisions first from the most inside part of your self- from your paradigms, your beliefs, your character rather than focusing on the weaknesses of other people, circumstances, or your own persona. 

The first of the skills for us to consider is SELF-AWARENESS � What we know and learn about ourselves, our needs, our values and beliefs will determine how we cooperate, communicate, resolve conflict, make decisions, manage time, develop habits, set goals. Our goal is not self-discovery as an end. Rather, the goal is to understand who we are and take responsibility for how we relate to others and in community. No matter what life or leadership challenges we face, we are responsible within whatever context we find ourselves. 

We do not lead or live in a vacuum. To understand ourselves will help us in our relationships at school, at work, with our families, with our friends. Our ability to rise to the challenges we have at work and in life, depends on a foundation of character and to a large extent on understanding ourselves and our own life experiences and how they have prepared us for our journey. 

The following are practical steps, at a minimum that we can take with a coach, a counselor, a colleague, a friend, a family member to help move us toward a more integrated, complete understanding of ourselves and thus further along what Kevin Cashman calls "the pathway to personal mastery": 

1. Take a personality and/or abilities inventory. The Enneagram, for example has been used for years for transformational work. This test is not only profound psychology but a means to a deeper, more genuine spirituality. The more clearly and specifically we have insight into ourselves, the more possible it is to let go of old debilitating patterns and build on positive ones. Most helpful is the characterization of the nine personality types- The Reformer, the Helper, the Motivator, The Individualist, The Investigator, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast, the Leader. Check-out Personality Types by Don Richard Riso with Russ Hudson. 

2. Identify your top 10 needs, or go through the Needless Program with a Coach. 
By needs, I do not mean water, air and food. List those things (and be truthful) that you are driven to have met in order to feel fulfilled or function most effectively. Reserve judgment initially on what comes up for you. Some examples may be: Order, Peace, Stability, Adventure, Connection, Freedom, Solitude, Accomplish, Be Loved, Be Right, Be Comfortable, Communicate, Be in control, Be Honest, Be Safe, Be busy, Be Powerful. 

3. Identify your top 10 values. These may be: Beauty, Contribution, Create, Discover, Feel, Lead, Mastery, Relate, Spirituality, Teach, Win. Or complete the TruValues program with a coach. 

4.Identify your Leadership Style. What qualities or skills does a leader that you admire embody? What are the traits of a person, leader you do not think is successful? 

5.Write your life story. Clarify your strength and growth areas by answering these questions: Imagine yourself observing a dear friend talking about you with love and admiration. What would your friend be saying? Ask yourself to choose 10 items and/or people you would like to take with you if you had to spend the rest of your life on a desert island. �But�, we say, � I have done this before and my level of awareness is high.� My challenge is to bring new life to this process. The benefits are not what we would get from a quick fix or even a motivational speaker. Invest in the process of �personal mastery� and you will think, feel, lead and achieve in a more positive and fulfilling way.

 " Give me beauty in the inward soul; may the outward and inward man be at one." Socrates 

http://www.sueseel.com
http://www.talane.com 
http://www.coachu.com 
http://www.coachfederation.org 

Resources: 

Leadership from the Inside-Out by Kevin Cashman 
Personality Types by Don Riso and Russ Hudson