Women at Work – Striking the Yin-Yang balance

 

We recently conducted an Authentic Personal Branding program for eighteen women participants.  I have facilitated several all women workshops in the past and there is no question in my mind that a different dynamic arises within cohesive groups.  The APB program is especially deep and introspective, so this particular program lead to a few significant insights.  I would like to share them here:

• Each one of us has a unique and notable story.

There is drama, there is tragedy; there are moments of weakness and moments of strength.  But each of us has traversed a remarkable journey and there is much that can be appreciated and assimilated by investing some time in examining the story thus far.

• Even if we have rationalized the challenges and learned from them, the emotional pain may still be real and unaddressed

In a world which has largely been favoring the mind over the heart, we have often learned to see the positive in difficult situations, derive strength and even grow from them.  However, there remains the emotional baggage that may often be suppressed or denied.  Frequently, the very notion of  lasting emotion is considered a weakness that is to be denied at any cost.  The truth is that the pain often continues to reside in our energy, in our body and in our sub-conscious minds.   It has to be acknowledged and accepted  – for it to dissolve or be released.  Women, especially, have an inherent tendency to feel guilt and excessive responsibility for all those whom they care about.   They also have a tendency to repress their anger and end up blaming themselves and falling into a spiral of self criticism.

• In our drive to be ‘superwoman’, we stop giving ourselves permission to be human.

I have had countless sessions with women attempting to be the best possible spouse/partner, mother, daughter, sibling, aunt, sister-in-law, housewife – while simultaneously building a perfect, high achieving role in their chosen career.  They try to live up to idealized expectations that are completely unrealistic.  This leads to immense suffering and agonizing over all the ‘failures’ in their own and others’ eyes – with the bottom line being that no matter what they do – “they aren’t good enough”.  This particular area requires a change in attitude and understanding in families and society in general.    But the change has to start with the concerned individual.  Until they define their own aspirations with more clarity, compassion and realism, they won’t be able to enroll any support.

• In an effort to prove themselves in a male dominated corporate world, women often perceive their feminine traits as a weakness.

Who we are – is our natural strength.  The moment we try to be someone that we are not, we are moving away from our essence and inherent advantage.  More and more research and leadership models are beginning to emphasize the need to focus on emotional intelligence, heart connect, empathy, engagement and authenticity.  And yet, its not only the men, but also the women – who have lost touch with the benefits of a caring attitude.  In the war against the glass ceiling, heart walls have crept up.  And a heart wall creates a divide in relation to everyone.  No-one benefits.

If we wish to see a world in which everyone can shine as their whole and complete self – we all need to  balance the yin and yang qualities within each of us.  People who are courageous and vulnerable  are the ones who have high self worth.  They can be authentic and passionate because they are willing to be whole-hearted.  This propels their drive and energy to go out there and actualize their highest potential.    A smooth, balanced interplay between the masculine and feminine traits inherent within us will enable  each of us to emerge in full strength.  And this applies to the women just as much as it applies to the men.

The Leadership Conundrum

End of year had lots of reflection in store. As I was reflecting on my conversations and discussions with people across the corporate world ” Leadership” seemed to be most commonly used term. Most of the research in human behaviors in recent times is around Leadership. We first had competencies, then a lot around authenticity , now the rules and Code. All of these are great research with strong recommendations which can change the world.

The fact remains while the number of people being called / labeled leaders multiplying exponentially everyday Leadership in being and action still remains rare phenomenon.

In the Indian corporate world we somewhere got muddled up and confused between leaders and managers. While our management education system continued bulk producing managers we kept on holding to the notion of these graduates will be playing the role of leader. Inside the organisation we kept on giving our employees managerial responsibilities as part of their career progresson which kept on increasing while the employees moved up the ladder and then complaining about the Leadership Capabilities in the organisation.

In simple terms Management is all about getting results with effectiveness and efficiency while Leadership is about Leadership is about ( guiding, showing the way(role model), being in the front, character). As there is a lot of overlap between manage and lead it is quite natural for these words to be used inter-changeably.

In the same organisation, holding similar positions some are leaders and some are not. In my view the key differentiators between leader and manager are Vision and Attitude. Attitude not only towards work but attitude towards life.

1. Passion : Do what you love and love what you do. The result is excitement , energy and excellence that rubs on people around you.

2. Signature : Giving your best in every situation and raising the bar of performance and achievement. Constantly reflecting on , is this the best I could have done in this situation? Are there better ways to handle this ? Will I feel pride or shame when I come across this piece of work in future? This results in you delivering high quality and expecting that from others.

3. Awareness : Understanding the impact of words and actions on yourself and others. This results in developing character and integrity that others can respect and trust.

4. Learning Agility : Be a Learner, open to learning from experience of self and others, Learning from environment and all the accessible resources. This results in your being a guide and torch bearer in times of change and turbulence. Being on the top of your game with ability to look for multiple options and influence the emergence.

5. Courage : To stand up for what you truly believe in. Challenging the statuesque and sub optimal results and decisions. You walk the talk and inspire others.

6. Emotional Resilience : Taking care of yourself. You are able to cope the stress created by the work pressure, change, people around. In case of failure you are able to display bouncebackability.

It is quite magical to see the more you work on yourself ( your attitude) the more people around us get impacted and start considering as a leader. Leadership is not a label, a position, a claim that you can make on your own or organisation can give you. You are leader only when people around you consider you to be one.

Next time when you feel that your subordinates and peers are not showing enough leadership qualities, it will be worthwhile to take time off to reflect on your leadership. If you have all the six attributes of attitude there is a great possibility that you would have rubbed this on your colleagues . If not think about how you can use these attributes to influence and inspire..

Changing your Calling Card to ‘Meet the Real Me’

‘Cell numbers will now have portability from November 1^st’.   So many people have been waiting to change their service provider, but were reluctant to let go of their existing numbers.  The inconvenience of informing others of a change in what has come to be a part of our very identity has kept many unhappy customers married to their existing service.

Are there more areas of your life where you are compromising being your best, simply because it would take too much trouble to inform others about the change?  In my work, I routinely see people struggling to live up to the image that they have.  This image may have been created knowingly, or unintentionally.  For example, the stereotype of the perfect daughter, wife or mother is often unknowingly acquired from conditioning, societal pressures or preconceived expectations.  Whereas the image of a free thinking, modern liberal may be a cultivated persona.

Somewhere along the line, whether or not you chose this image starts to become unimportant.  But living up to this mould starts becoming a stifling necessity.  Habits are hard to break, perceptions even more so.  Perceptions are founded on our beliefs.  And unless you are willing to challenge your beliefs, you tend to continue doing everything possible to perpetuate them.  At the cost of being unhappy.

Broadly speaking, this may be experienced in two ways:

As Victims:

In this case, the person has yet to understand that their stress or unhappiness stems from the difference between who they really are and who they are pretending to be.  So a large part of the blame is transferred to someone else.  A typical example is that of trying to be the ideal ‘wife’.   ‘My husband must have fresh home cooked meals that I have prepared.  I am overloaded with office work, but I have to do this because of him.  He should be more understanding!’.  It may seem like an inane example, but such are the factors that contribute to strained relationships.   The lady was trying to live up to the idealized version of a ‘wife’.  The modern day working woman often has priorities and preferences that are highly different from her mother, mother-in-law and husband’s expectations of her.  At her heart of hearts, she is not interested in cooking, and nor does she believe that she needs to prove her love for her family by slaving in the kitchen.  But instead of admitting these preferences – firstly to herself –she blames her husband for being demanding, a mother in law for being judgmental and herself for being a doormat.   End result is feeling trapped, unappreciated and angry with everyone around her, as well as herself.

In this case, an astonishing amount of healing occurred when she simply acknowledged her own truth.  She sat down with her husband and honestly expressed her true view of the ‘wife’ role.  That is when they worked out a mutually acceptable solution.   The husband was reasonable and co-operative.  But until she was willing to risk admitting to something that may not be ‘politically correct’ – she remained an internally unhappy, complaining victim.

Redefining your self honestly requires courage.  However, the good news is that while there are possibilities of it making you less popular with others, your self approval will soar.  And at the end of the day, remember that the person you live with 24/7 is yourself.

Those unwilling or denying the face in the mirror, may find themselves living as Pretenders.

As Pretenders:

These people have already done some introspection and know that they are not completely who they are commonly perceived to be.  It’s more likely the challenges here are far more subtle and deep rooted.

Such people may have invested much of their time and energy in building a persona that is popularly acceptable or is looked up to, or this perception could have naturally evolved around them over time.  Beautiful people, doing wonderful work can reach this stumbling block.  Much of the admiration could be well deserved.  However some perceptions may now be excessively positive or unrealistic.   But to correct others perception, would require them to face the possibility of losing some of the popularity, praise or prestige.  And for many, that is a tough one to deal with.

Consider the example of a young professor.  He is immensely popular with the youngsters and interacts with many foreigners and international agencies in the course of his work.  Part of the image that has grown around him is that he is committed to personal freedom and places little emphasis on ‘following the rules’.  To a large extent this is in fact very true of him.  He does give others great liberty to follow their own heart and be true to them selves.     However, when it came to himself, he was struggling in an open relationship with a foreigner.  It took him a lot of introspection to discover that though he was fine with others adopting such norms, he himself was uncomfortable with the arrangement and would prefer a committed, monogamous relationship.   Even once he knew this, for several months he tried to convince himself that he was okay with the way his relationship was.  He could not accept this ‘orthodox’ part of himself, as it went against all the liberal ways he stood for.  This pretension only added to his internal conflict and depression.  After months of strained relations, arguments and hurts, he began to consider being honest with his partner.  The fear was that she would end the relationship.  Which is what eventually happened.  However, the months of sleepless nights and increasing ugliness between the two came to an end.  Both parted ways amicably.  Letting go of this situation and pretence created the space and freedom for him to come into his full integrity.  His fear of being single had contributed to his efforts to adhere to his image.   But he is now happier and more at peace in his newfound freedom to fully be himself.

You are free to be your true self, if you give yourself permission to be so.  The challenge is when you concurrently insist that others approve of you and your choices.  And complain if they don’t.  Be willing to give them the freedom to be themselves too.   A honest, mutually respectful disagreement can lead to a happier life than playing either victim or pretender.

And if this is making you re-examine areas of your life where you are compromising yourself, along with any associated fears – do bear in mind:  It is your own love and respect that will change your life.  No-one else’s.

 

(First published at http://serenereflection.wordpress.com/ on 27/10/10)

Authentic Personal Branding Retreat For Leaders

“Your brand is a gateway to your true work. You know you are here to do something – to create something or help others in some way. The question is, how can you set up your life and work so that you can do it? The answer lies in your brand. When you create a compelling brand you attract people who want the promise of your brand – which you deliver.” Dave Buck

As an individual, you are a brand ambassador of your firm, as well as the personal values and vision you hold.

In the corporate sector, your branding plays an important role in your day to day dealing with your subordinates, peers, superiors, stakeholders and customers. In the social, education and health sectors, your branding influences how much people trust and support your work.

What do people feel when you walk into the room? And what do you intend them to feel? Successful personal branding makes the answers to these two questions coincide – your key audiences think about you the way you want them to think.

Every time a thought leader communicates it is an opportunity to change perceptions, create strong images, drive to action, persuade, inform, initiate, and bring closure.

APB enables you to identify, live and present your identity with its full strength. Successful leaders are both deeply steeped in their own personal identities and deeply flexible toward their key audiences.

APB enables inspired leadership which is both integrous (true to themselves) and influential (powerful with others).
Our Authentic Personal Branding Retreat for Leaders is scheduled from 17th to 20th November in Pune. Please contact Papiya@avyudaya.com for details.

‘The Truth Will Set You Free’ – The Rewards of Authenticity

When we speak of Authentic Personal Branding, our entire premise is based on one being centered in Authenticity.  What drives today’s growing need for authenticity?

Every person, at some level, seeks the freedom to express his or her own true nature.  Each of us has some unique characteristics and being accepted for who you are allows you to play your role in this world to the best of your abilities.  When we are self assured and self accepting enough, we are unafraid of others opinions and can gift our self the liberty to be the best possible versions of our self, rather than poor imitations of someone else.

In the modern context, who you are speaks in many ways and through different channels.  What may not be obvious is as to how transparent our lives have become in the new world.  With the advent of mobile cameras, digital voice recorders and the all pervading internet – it is largely impossible to know and completely control which part of you and your life becomes public.

It is only natural for us to be different in different surroundings.  For example, the way you would dress, speak and behave at your formal client meeting is likely to be very different from how you would present yourself at a party with friends who have known you most of your life.  To be appropriate to the occasion includes some degree of change and flexibility.

However, without having invested time and attention in having discovered and accepted all parts of your self, you will be unable to present a consistent and authentic personal brand.

Authenticity enables you to acknowledge and integrate all parts of yourself in a coherent fashion, in a way that allows you to be comfortable with who you really are.  There is no false image to protect and your realness is what reaches your audience.

Know that your audience will be doing its homework, to understand who they are dealing with, before they do business with you.  In today’s world, you should expect that you or your company will be examined by anyone who has to interact with you, whether as a client, employer, employee, investor or associate.

The information is too easily available to be ignored.

A prospective customer is unlikely to only visit the official company website for product information.  He is more than likely to search for customer and other reviews, candid accounts of experience through blogs, videos and other such channels and do price and qualitative comparisons through other independent sources and media.  Hence, if a company expects its brand to be communicated in a way that leads to a positive impact, it is not sufficient for it to present itself well – it has to genuinely be a good product and true to what  it claims to be.

Any lack of authenticity is bound to show up.

The same holds true for you as an individual.

Deliberately positioning your self according to what is attractive, popular or politically correct, without it being a reality, cannot support your growth in the long term.  For example, as a professional or corporate leader – you cannot criticize corruption and advocate transparency – if there is going to be a photo-story on your rival’s blog, showing you paying off the local traffic policeman.

Similarly, if you have been reluctant to let your colleagues at work know that you enjoy night clubs on the weekends, you are likely to be embarrassed to have them discover this part of you through comments on a friend’s social networking page.

Authenticity and honesty are no longer purely aspirational values for the genuine seekers of spiritual and personal growth.  The modern world has rendered them an inevitable necessity.

Be who you are – or be willing to be found out.

It also remains true that anything can be quoted out of context and visual media can be manipulated to intentionally present a false picture.  And again, the only answer to such a possibility is to be so true to your self – that your authentic brand itself silences all falsehoods.

As Richard Bach said – ‘Live never to be ashamed if anything you say or do is published around the world, even if what is said is not true.’

An integrous reputation is something that is built over a period of time.  Your veracity and way of being gradually consolidate to an extent wherein people can rely upon you delivering what your brand promises.

Consider the example of  Sachin Tendulkar.  His years of sincerity and dedication to his sport have built a strongly positive image in the public mind.  In a world where every other cricket player is accused of match fixing and spot fixing, most audiences tend to think – where there is smoke, there is fire.  But a Sachin Tendulkar has such a clean track record, that very few people would entertain suspicions about him.

Similarly, an Aamir Khan has built the brand of an intellectual, social minded brand.  A small budget with no significant ‘star’ cast, the movie ‘Peepli Live’ was a hit largely because of Aamir Khan’s backing.  First, his personal brand built the curiosity to get the crowds in and then because the movie stood on its own merit – living up to the generated expectations – it worked commercially as well as with the critics.

It becomes clear that being genuine is not only liberating, but highly strengthening.

Whether you choose it out of the love of truth, the freedom to be your best self or to avoid public controversy, authenticity is not only rewarding, but the unavoidable way forward in this transparent world.

Introducing Customised Authentic Personal Branding Workshop for Corporates

Authentic Personal Branding – In-house Program:

Well orchestrated brands have depth and richness. They are like personalities, in that the best of them are made interesting and beautiful by a unique blend of interesting and beautiful component parts. It is only in the harmony of the whole that the brand lives.”
Steve Yastrow

• Purpose: Authentic Personal Branding In-house Program aims at helping the organisation enhance their collective leadership capability and capacity by developing individual leaders with strong authentic personal brands.

• Who should attend this program?

Any leader, who represents the leadership brand in front of your stakeholders should attend the program. It is preferred that the person has considerable experience of dealing with teams both internally and externally.

These leaders will have significant impact on overall organisational culture and management practices.

What will be the key takeaways for enrolling in the above program?

The key takeaways:

Participants will have clarity on:
• Their true self-image, values and vision
• Understanding of their fears and limitations and how to deal with these
• Their emergent Authentic Personal Branding
• Alignment of their own values and strengths with that of your organisation
• Understanding the impact of their Authentic Personal Branding on organisational leadership brand
• Defining the image they would like to build in the customers heart and mind for your personal and organisational brand.
• A road map forward to align existing image with this articulated APB
• Practices to live and communicate their APB and being a role model for the organisational leadership brand
“A great brand taps into emotions. Emotions drive most, if not all, of our decisions. A brand reaches out with a powerful connecting experience.” Scott Bedbury/Nike, Starbucks

Methodology :

Exercises used will be selected and customized as per participant needs. These may include any and several of the following:

• Self Discovery Processes
• Goal setting and visualization
• Creative processes
• Mindfulness Exercises including simple meditation techniques
• Methods and tools for Unblocking limitations and enhancing strengths (physical, psychological, energy based processes)
• Role Play, Psychodrama
• Appreciative Inquiry
• Communicating across levels of being and various mediums

Cost: Please ask for the quotation.

Venue : Retreat venue a must in order to maximise learning.

Please get in touch with Aroop at 9810520869 for the details.

Announcing Authentic Personal Branding Retreat -2

Authentic Personal Branding Retreat:

“Even individuals need to develop a brand for themselves …. Whatever your area of expertise, you can take steps to make people think of YOU when they think of your field.”
Accelepoint Webzine

After the encouraging feedback from the participants and organisations we are delighted to offer our next Authentic Personal Branding Retreat.

Purpose: Authentic personal branding retreat enables you to identify, live and present your identity with its full strength.

• Who should attend this program?

Anyone who operates from a position of leadership, responsibility and influence or is a harbinger of change would substantially benefit. For example: Top management executives, small business owners, NGO, educational and social sector leaders, professionals such as doctors, healers, trainers, facilitators, coaches, teachers, professors, etc…

About the Program:

Venue: Pune, India

Date: 3 full days Residential program: 1st to 4th September 2010

Cost: Rs. 25,000/- + Service Tax. NGOs and individuals may apply for 50% scholarships

Payment in favour of ‘Avyudaya Center for Transformation’

What will be the key takeaways for enrolling in either of the above programs?

The participants will have clarity on:
• True self-image, values and vision
• Understanding of fears and limitations and how to deal with these
• Emergent Authentic Personal Branding
• Alignment of individual values and strengths with that of the organisation
• Understanding the impact of Authentic Personal Branding on organisational leadership brand/individual vision
• A road map forward to align existing image with this articulated APB
• Practices to live and communicate the APB and being a role model for the organisational leadership brand

Methodology :

Exercises used will be selected and customized as per participant needs. These may include any and several of the following:

• Self Discovery Processes
• Goal setting and visualization
• Creative processes
• Mindfulness Exercises including simple meditation techniques
• Methods and tools for Unblocking limitations and enhancing strengths (physical, psychological, energy based processes)
• Role Play, Psychodrama
• Appreciative Inquiry
• Communicating across levels of being and various mediums

Ambition and Aspiration

Last week I was part of discussion which delved on Aspiration Vs Ambition and slowly their connection with the way we live life started unfolding for me. Although in dictionary they are synonyms but if one has to take a close look there is a fundamental difference. Ambition has lot to do with acquisition, in terms of status, money, car, promotion, house etc. Aspiration on the other hand is all about expansion, reaching the heights of true human potential and alignment with your purpose. In our work when we actually speak to people across sectors about their life stories and goals, they tend to be coming from the aspects of ambition. This has huge impact on overall well being and happiness as lots of important facets of life do not get the requisite focus.
Renowned executive coach and author Marshall Goldsmith in his newest best seller :” Mojo: How To Get It, How To Keep It, How To Get It Back If You Lose IT” reflects on what matters most for leaders.
A friend of Goldsmith got to interview old folks who were dying and got to ask this question. Three themes come up, on the personal side, in the answers of old people facing death.

Theme No. 1, be happy now:not next week, not next month, not next year. The great Western disease is “I’ll be happy when. When I get the status, the money, the car, the promotion. When I retire. I will be happy when.” A learning point from old people is “I got so wrapped up looking at what I did not have and missed what I did have. I had almost everything. I wished I had taken a few more minutes to appreciate it.”

Learning point No. 2. Friends and family. Many people have wonderful companies that they work for. But when you are 95 years old and look around the deathbed, ain’t no employees waving goodbye. You start to realize those friends and family kind of matter.

Learning point No. 3. If you have a dream, go for it. Because when you don’t when you are 25, you may not when you are 85. It doesn’t have to be a big one, maybe a little one. Go to New Zealand. Speak Spanish. Other people may think your dream is goofy. Who cares? One thing I talk about in the book — the only person who can define happiness for me is me. And the only person who can define meaning for me is me. Other people can’t tell us what our dreams are. We got to figure those out ourselves.

Business advice isn’t much different. No. 1: Have fun; life is short. No. 2 is people. Do whatever we can to help people. The main reason to help people has nothing to do with money or status or getting ahead. The main reason to help people is because 95-year-olds will be proud of you because you did it and embarrassed or disappointed if you don’t.

Both Sangeetha and me were exploring the Mojo of life some questions that opened the doors for reflection on life were not surprisingly around defining the aspirations :

What are you proud of ?

What would you like your loved ones ( life partner, kids, parents, siblings, friends) to know and remember you for?

What would make you feel that you have lived your life to the fullest?

What would be the measure that you have used all your strengths and gifts to its full potential?

“I know some people say “Keep your eyes on the prize,” but I disagree. When your eyes are stuck on the prize, you’re going to keep stumbling and crashing into things. If you really want to get ahead, you’ve got to keep your eyes focused on the path.”

Russell Simmons from Do You!

“Aspiration is all about having a vision and to stick with it, immersing yourself doing your best moment to moment. The journey is rewarding and joyful. Ambition is always focused on result, which keeps on shifting from one level to the other never giving sense of fulfillment and joy”  Papiya

The Long Walk Home…

The long walk home...

June 14th, 2010, Day 1 of the Authentic Personal Branding Retreat dawned with a sense of freshness and great expectancy.  Our venue was picturesque, green and vibrant.  Papiya, Aroop and I waited for the participants besides a flowing river, with rain clouds gathering overhead.

Ten people came in from different cities, with varying expectations.  As we all gathered together for the first time, the rush and busyness of city life was already fading, thanks to the serene surroundings.  We felt supported by nature and after a mindfulness exercise an open, receptive and safe space was created to facilitate learning.

The ten participants shared their thoughts, moods and expectations.  Some knew nothing about branding or what to expect, while some were anxious and curious as to what would emerge.  Papiya and myself were centred in our own clarity and together with the participants, articulated the objective and expectations for the retreat.

We indicated that this program would be different from other programs as we would be using tools and processes at three levels – mind, body and heart.  While Papiya and I would hold the space and offer guidelines, the major work would be done by the individuals themselves.

Over the first one and half days, the entire group embarked determinedly on a challenging trip of honest self discovery.  The first attempt came out similar to a modified version of a conventional C.V.  However, Papiya and I succeeded in pushing people beyond their comfort zones, encouraging them to delve deeper into self examination than they had ever done before. Through various exercises, they were encouraged to unpeel their layers and defences.  Gradually, they began to drop the masks that we are so habituated to wearing.  Conditioning and how it shapes us became apparent to each of us.  Each one was deeply moved by their introspections and began to see them selves in a new light.

The second half of Day 2 was spent in exchanging feedback on how they perceive each other.  The facilitators also offered objective observations.  Again, many of them were taken aback to see how differently others saw them, as compared to what they thought they were seen as.

Informed by the learnings of two days, they began to articulate their aspired image – based on who they really are.

Upon examining the existing image and aspired image, they were disturbed to discover that there was a substantial gap between the two.  Tools to overcome limitations and unblock were shared and practised.  Fears were addressed and they all motivated each other to seek concrete steps to bridge the gap.

In the evening we had a sit down dinner where we each shared personal anecdotes that had never been shared publically before.   People found courage in authenticity and discovered the humour and ease in being honest about themselves.

But Day 3 mood was anxious in the morning.   The gap between existing and aspired image (based on authenticity) seemed too wide to bridge.  Fears of being judged in the outside world had returned.  A lot many questions about life and priorities had emerged.  Drawing a road map towards bringing alignment within all facets of life and a higher purpose, in line with your own unique, individual self  – seemed an onerous task.  So we methodically embarked on discussing and defining action steps to actualize this aspiration.

With specifics having been examined, by the evening they were more relaxed.   A spontaneous singing session broke out.  In light hearted ease they again experienced how being themselves was quite enjoyable.  It was certainly far less taxing than adopting personas in an attempt to create impressions.

Day 4 was devoted to revisiting learnings, the articulated authentic personal brand and the intended actions steps for assimilation through various techniques.

The participants left with an air of positivity and enthusiasm.  The Retreat was only the beginning of a whole new path forward and they will need to stay determined and true to the commitments they have made to them selves.  On our part, we intend to continue to follow their journey and support with appropriate resources.  This blog will be one such means of being present to them.

On the way back, Papiya, Aroop and myself discussed how effortless and natural the flow of the entire retreat had been.  We were delighted to see the complementary and synergetic way in which our diverse and extensive knowledge and experience came together, responsive to the need of the moment, as it arose.

As individual leaders discover and live their own unique, true magnificence, their impression will impact the lives of so many more around them.  Our dream of facilitating such ripples of change has had a wonderful start and we return feeling blessed and supported by nature and grace.

Exploration of ‘Identity’

“The strongest force in the universe is a human being living consistently with his identity.”

~ Tony Robbins

A thought provoking statement isn’t it?  It seems to resonate with a deep knowing that we all have within us.  The power and coherence of an authentic being cannot be denied.

However, the challenge here is defining your own identity.

The dictionary offers two kinds of definition to the word identity:

1.  The set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group.

2. The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; individuality.

These apparently conflicting definitions actually contain the paradox of our place in the world.  We are individuated parts of an entirety and our acknowledgement of our uniqueness along with the simultaneous recognition of oneness is what enables us to best express the full magic of our being.

In our quest for fitting into the world, we have bought into many perceptions, judgments and expectations of who we should be, and attempt to be, until gradually we begin to lose track of who we actually are.  Consequently, we are neither in touch with our essence, nor do we feel connected to the world around us.  The sense of separation builds an insecure, competitive personality, with an increasing blindness towards the merits of collaboration.  How can a ‘Me v/s The World’ mindset create a nurturing, peaceful and joyful world?

Focusing our attention inwards gifts us the clarity and peace of rediscovering our identity.  As we begin to articulate and appreciate our unique personality, we also begin to experience the underlying oneness to all of existence.

While these are matters that have been considered as spiritual interests to be pursued at leisure, the fact is that they are very much relevant to our daily lives.  Self inquiry leads to the honing, articulation and coherent delivery of who we are and what we stand for, thereby helping us to play our part in creating a better world.

What are those inherent values, qualities and gifts that we bring to the world?  How do we make people feel?  What is the impact we are making through our very existence?

Authentic Personal Branding is not only a journey towards maximizing your impact on the world.  This inside-out approach will also help you discover the full expanse of your own being.

Reveal the whole beauty of your true identity.