What if there’s no map?
Time was when ships were navigated by the stars so journeying, and travellers, relied on the universe. Would that method be such a bad thing for today’s leaders, especially when the current climate can feel like an ocean of challenge, clarity is hard to come by and our back catalogue of experience and ‘trieds and testeds’ don’t seem to serve so well or be suited to the new context.
Almost certainly we are in an age of emergence where new thinking, new approaches and an adventurous mind-set will help us, and those we lead, navigate an effective course.
How, though, do we tune our instrument to connect with the universe and the guidance it may offer? I am talking here about connecting with intuition, not just the gut instinct stuff but what can, at times, feel like bolt from the blue inspiration. The insight that comes in and we absolutely know it is the right thing to do.
We access this by slowing down and going within, developing a practice of quiet reflection and building towards an even deeper (and higher) practice of meditation. Regular practice fundamentally transforms our connection with self and the connection we have with higher knowing or wisdom. Research has shown that meditative practice builds brain resilience, stimulates greater connectivity and sharpens focus.
Studies by Harvard and INSEAD have concluded that meditation and intuition are the most important tools for 21st Century leaders. Practice of the former boosts the power of the latter.
Of course the mariners of old had one other handy approach when passage became difficult. They took soundings to test the depth of the water and proximity of the rocks. And we have that ability today in asking our colleagues for input, in engaging them in the challenge and in forming the solution.
Perhaps our first period of reflection, then, should be on the resources we have at hand, within and without, and ensuring we engage them.