Women in the LEAD

PART 1: FIT FOR LEADERSHIP

FIT FOR LEADERSHIP SERIES
The Leadership Edge
Part 1 of 3

Some years ago, I had the good fortune of meeting Linda Prout, nutritionist and author of Live in the Balance. We had a chance to explore how our LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS is directly influenced by what we EAT. Imagine that!

Subsequently, she wrote a few articles related to this topic. As we are all working to rise to new levels of leadership, we need to use all the help we have within our reach. So, below is an excerpt I know you will find informative and valuable:

The Leadership Edge
by Linda Prout

To be effective at inspiring others and building community in an organization or family, one needs mental clarity, energy and emotional stability. Fatigue, cloudy thinking as well as anger or excessive irritability undermine feelings of connectedness. Effective leadership requires a sense of internal balance. Research in brain chemistry reveals that food can enhance or erode our sense of balance, our energy levels and mood.

Here are a couple stories that may sound familiar to you...

LESLIE. As a therapist, Leslie knew she was more irritable and prone to outbursts of temper than was "normal." Her visits to me focused on improving her digestion, yet after about a month on an eating plan designed to soothe her inflamed intestines, Leslie found her moods also changed. She lost her harsh edge and found herself more relaxed and cheerful around her clients and children.

ANNA. Anna, a 52-year-old university social studies professor, came to me to lose weight. After reducing refined junk foods, increasing vegetables and protein, plus adding exercise, Anna lost her excess weight. She also claimed her energy and mental clarity made a quantum leap. "I'm quicker to answer my students' questions. I am remembering tiny details of conversations, lectures and articles plus, I can read with a clarity and retention I haven't had since my 20's," Anna told me one day. With new found mental prowess and confidence at a size 12, Anna left her tenured position at a state university to take a teaching job in smaller college where she is able to participate more in the student activities she loves along with in volunteering in the community. "These were things I always want to do but lacked the energy and will to roll up my sleeves and participate," Anna told me. Two states of mind interfere with effective leadership and our ability to connect with those around us. One is the feeling of anger or irritability. People don't like to do business with angry, irritable people. They don't like to live with them or work with them. Unfortunately, high stress jobs often push us to outbursts of anger and bring out irritability. Certain foods can soothe anger, while others can exacerbate it.

LEARNINGS. A second obstacle to leadership is a dearth of energy along with the depression and mental fog that sometimes come with it. Here again, food can boost energy levels, mood, morale, and even restore memory and the ability to learn.

Anna and Leslie discovered a renewed sense of spirit, energy and connectedness by choosing to eat more freshly made whole foods including hot soups, stir fries and other vegetable-rich meals, and less convenience, packaged items. Both began taking more time for meals, often joining associates, friends or family members. At first, they resisted the idea of taking the extra time. But both discovered that by joining others at mealtime, it helped speed their progress toward better health plus helped them build critical bonds with those in their personal and business communities.

IN MY NEXT POST...
There is more to share on this topic. In my next couple of posts, I will provide more about Linda Prout's advice on foods that reduce anger and promote calm, as well as the topic for those of us with a sweet tooth --- SUGAR's impact on building community. Each will include lists of specific  foods.

These small changes might give you that leadership edge you need!
Join me next time.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the LEAD

Learn more about Linda Prout's work at her LifeShift website.

OPENING DOORS OF PERCEPTION

“If the doors of perception of were cleansed, everything would appear to man (woman) as infinite.
---” William Blake

Where in your life do you need a clearer, fresher perception in order to live more fully into your personal potential?

We are composite picture of our past experiences, parenting and history. Our perception is directly linked to where we have lived, and to how we view our personal potential. Modern psychology teaches and evaluates people from the perspective of their past experiences. Most of us live in the past. Living from the past can encourage a loss of freshness and active living. Learning to refresh our perspectives on a regular basis and learning to remember we are of infinite potential and possibility allows us to live more fully each day of our lives.

I must agree with William Blake’s quote above when he reminds us that when the doors of perception are cleansed the infinite becomes available to us.

Where can you cleanse your perception and make more space for the infinite?

What past beliefs or pictures are you holding on to that limits you from living fully today?

What infinite potential do you hold that you now need to more fully live in your life?

Maureen Simon

WOW! Democratic WOMEN of the SENATE

Regardless of your political persuasion, anyone watching or even reading the transcript of Larry King on CNN tonight had to admit that beautiful panel of Democratic women leaders was remarkable! It was notable that Larry even changed his whole stage to showcase this powerful panel of nine women senators.

What was most compelling was seeing how differently women respond to questions and to one another. They looked at one another, demonstrating their genuine interest in what the other was saying, even if they had a different point-of-view. They didn't appear to come to share rehearsed "talking points." Each one seemed to clearly have command of their own language, addressing specific issues with specific stories and recommendations about the issues that all of us are concerned about.

Larry King posts highlights of his shows, so I assume you'll be able to see it.

Their brilliant IDEA to come together for this event proved once again that there is strength in numbers. What could we all learn by their example for opportunities we might have as women?
Here are three ideas:

1. Look for changes to join forces. There is nothing more powerful than a collaborative team that truly has genuine interest in each other and is committed to mission. This was a clear wordless message tonight.

2. Look GREAT! How we present ourselves matters. Even as dress standards have relaxed, when it comes to leadership, it is a powerful tool. Look your very best from---head to toe. You will walk taller, feel more confident and it will complement and enhance the substance you bring. Every woman tonight was beautifully groomed in her own style of beauty.

3. Never talk off the top of your head without knowing what you want to say. Even if the discussion is informal. Take time to think through what messages you want to share. What was visible tonight is that each of them had personal command of their message. Each message was meaningful, clear and succinct.

What else did you see? Tell us what you think so we can all learn together!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the LEAD

When Was The Last Time You Belly Laughed

“… that is the best – to laugh with someone because
you both think the same things are funny.”
–- Gloria Vanderbilt

Last summer my little Irish mother was visiting from Florida. One of my very best friends came by to visit, as she and my mother have shared many hours over the years. I walked out of the room to do something, I returned to find them both sitting on a bench blissfully giggling. It was a moment where asking, “What are you laughing about?” would not have made any sense because it almost seemed as though they might not know. I witnessed this same scene several times between my mother and my closest friend. I have come to understand that they have this chemistry and that the very presence of the other ignites laughter.

Laughter is in great shortage these days. I mean the deep belly laugh kind -- the kind that when your final giggle is over you feel a fullness and deep joy. Children often experience this as a natural state of being. As we grow older, the seriousness of life often sets in and removes us from this joyful, playful place.

What makes you laugh, I mean really laugh, deep belly laugh?

Maureen Simon

Listen To Your Heart

Here from the heart wordless mysteries!

Understand what can not be understood? In mans stone dark heart there burns a fire that burns all veils to their root and foundation

When the veils are burned away, the heart will understand completely…

Ancient love will unfold ever fresh forms

In the heart of the Spirit in the core of the heart.

Rumi

Rumi has a natural gift of awakening us from our deep sleep to moving towards gaining greater understanding of the mysteries of the other world. The other world is not far from us--- it is with in us. Many mysteries live with in us.

What desires burn in your heart?

What do you now need to understand?

What veils are you living with –that no longer serve you?

Where can greater love be born or live in your life?

We are creatures of great potential. The heart is our guide—or indicator. It holds much wisdom….listen to it!

Maureen Simon

Are You Making Conscious Decisions regarding your life?

Life is fast and full for most of us! Sometimes it is important to make a conscious decision to quiet the mind, connect with the body, and evaluate whether or not we are expressing our gifts fully in the world. All three of these practical expressions can make a major difference in the quality of our lives!

Consider the following :

                                           

1 Quieting the mind

• Set aside time in silence at least 3 days a week for 20 minutes. Begin to get to know yourself, your needs, your desires and aspirations. Learn to identify and trust your intuition and inner voice. We all have an inner voice that guides and directs us. We just need to listen.
• Question: Can you think of 1 way this week that you could actually create more calm & stillness? 

2.  Connecting with the body

• Learn to become more aware of your body’s needs.
• Listen more closely to the signs that your body gives you, i.e. where are there aches, sensations, and areas of tightness? Is your body sending you a message?  What might the message be?
• Explore these sensations through yoga & movement. Your body holds great information about its own healing needs and emotional state of being.

·         Question: What 2 things would you need to do differently to begin to honor and care for your body in a new way?

3.  Expressing our gifts in the world 

• Begin to look at the day-to-day changes that you can make in your life to express more of who you really are.
• Evaluate whether or not your day is made up of work activities and projects that fulfill you.
• In the course of each day, do you fully express your greatest gifts? (For example, if you’re a writer, make sure that your day includes writing; if you enjoy people, make sure that your day involves social contact and is not limited to working at a desk job; if you enjoy nature, make sure that each day includes time outdoors.)
• Question: How could you bring more joy, richness, and fulfillment into your life on a daily basis?  What areas of our life could you improve?

As we learn to honor these small and simple things, we begin to connect more with who we are and what we’re here to bring.  From these discoveries we begin to create deeply meaningful lives. 

Maureen Simon

Times-They Are A’ Changing!

“So Geena Davis strides in -- stride is the only word that goes with those legs -- in a sparkle of silver, a swish of red hair, and slides up next to Ruth Bader Ginsburg with her beige scrunchie bun. The scrum they quickly find themselves in is all women -- all power women, to be more precise -- and the object of affection is a self-described agnostic, socialist single mother from Chile. Actually, make that an agnostic, socialist single mother who happens to be the president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet”. Washington Post Staff Writer- Jennifer Frey Fri. June 9, 06

I remember the song “Times they are a changing” back in the ‘70’s. I think it was Bob Dylan who sang it. Well Bob was right-- so much has changed since that song was originally sung loudly across this nation. But the words of the song seem to have a new relevance today—a new meaning. The above quote refers to an event held in Washington DC, sponsored by the White House Project honoring the new, first women president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet.

In the past few months strong and powerful women have risen to top positions in both Chile and Liberia. Something new is changing on the world stage. Geena Davis is refered to in Jennifer Frey's quote because she is the first women president in the new television series –Commander In Chief. I must admit that I am fully enjoying Geena Davis as the first Women President of the US-even if it is on a T.V. series! If you have not yet seen her you must. Back shows as well as the current shows are now available on www.abctv.com Do the world a favor and be sure to introduce a teenage girl to the show. I recently did and was thrilled to see how much she appreciated a women president and noticed the strong and promising impression that the show made on her.

Maureen Simon

WOMEN: Finding GREEN in Your Heart

A friend told me once that success is a moment in time that you can revisit over and over again. I think this is also true with stories and meaningful moments in life, where someone showed up or something happened that just made your "heart sing" with inspiration or delight.

Some months ago, I met a quite remarkable young woman. Her name is Melinda Kramer. She is the co-founder and co-director of the Women's Global Green Action Network (WGGAN). We have been working on a very special exhibit that will be opening shortly at Women in the LEAD in our WOMEN's GALLERY, paying tribute to 30 visionary woman from WGGAN. Consequently, her amazing work has been in my thoughts. I've written about Melinda's achievements a couple of times before, but tonight I decided to listen to the podcast I did with her before sending the link to a friend and once again my "heart is singing" ... it is lifted with inspiration hearing her story and imagining the possibilities that are out there for each and everyone of us.

If you are in transition, wishing you were doing work you love, have a passion for the environment or changing the world or finding your own dream, take time to LISTEN to WOMEN DOING INTERESTING THINGS: An Interview with Melinda Kramer. What it offers is not just a remarkable story of a young woman, but a remarkable spirit and passion that is igniting! It will make you want to follow YOUR HEART too!

Listen NOW

...and then come back and tell us what YOU think.

Debbe

________________________

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the LEAD

Moving from hesitancy to commitment

I have recently been called to look closely at all that is important to me in all areas of my life. For many years, I have found deep meaning in this quote. In times of reflection it has been a source of redirection and refocus. Moving from uncertainty to commitment has always filled me with gratitude.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in ones favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way."   ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Where are you holding back?

What might change if you could move to commitment instead?

Maureen Simon

Firm Persuasion? What‘s Yours?

“Then I asked; does a firm persuasion that a thing is so, make it so? He replied: all poets believe that it does, and in the ages of imagination this firm persuasion removed mountains; but many are not capable of a firm persuasion of anything”                                                                                                                                             
--- William Blake

The phrase firm persuasion has such an “old school” feel to it. But I believe that it has a very significant role to play in our world today. A firm persuasion or a strong conviction or belief are still  the very essance of what it takes to move a mountain. It is from this place of strength that many great achievements have rooted or been born.

When you think about your life-what do you have a firm persuasion for?

What gives you the strength to move mountains?

Who or what most inspires you to create some thing new or to take a stand?

Our world is in a transition; there are valid concerns about the environment, wars and rampant violence, and a dyer need for food and safety for all who live on this planet.

What are your greatest concerns?

Take a stand!

For it is in your strength and imagination that mountains will be moved today-in this great world that we share.

Maureen Simon