The Growth Posture
By Beth Berman
Helping business owners become their best as leaders (and to grow their businesses) often involves helping them discover their “Why”.
“Why do they do the work they do?”
Recently a colleague asked me that same question. The answer came effortlessly, because it’s the same in all aspects of my life. My “Why” is to create a positive, rippling impact in all of my worlds.
My “worlds” are probably a lot like yours: I have a business life. A family life. A community life. And a social life. And in each of them, it’s important to me to be focused on helping people achieve what they want. That’s my life’s work. That’s what brings me great satisfaction.
All of this is pretty clear to anyone who has worked with me, but what even some of my longtime clients don’t know is one of my “Hows”. Core to this “How” is yoga. The systems, tools and skills that I bring to the business leaders I advise, coach and facilitate for are grounded in this ancient practice.
“Yoga isn’t a workout. It’s a work-in.”
Yoga is the metaphor for my journey through life. It makes me a better person, and a better business coach and facilitator. I want to share some powerful yogic concepts with you that take yoga off the mat and into the realm of business growth.
Focus
Abiding in the idea that “less is more,” because “when everything’s important, nothing’s important.” Focus brings our attention to what will make a sustainable difference by being able to zero in on what really matters in this moment.
Intention
Setting clear intention toward our goals and building strength toward their achievement.
Alignment
Being in integrity with our values and vision, and the work we do within their context.
Balance
Developing the strength and flexibility to hold center, while being pulled in different directions.
Non-Attachment
Knowing that where we are now isn’t the destination. It’s simply where we currently are on our journey.
Meditation
Giving ourselves the gift of silence, even when our inner chatter (or critic) is trying to outshout us. In my EOS practice, we call this a Clarity BreakTM.
Stretching and Strengthening
Creating the foundation and then building upon it, one step at a time. Stretching beyond current limitations and aiming high.
“Yoga isn’t about touching your toes,
it’s about what you learn on the way down.” –Jigor Gor
I love this quote by Jigor Gor: “Yoga isn’t about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down,” and the same applies to leadership.
I’ve coached a lot of successful entrepreneurs and what I find they have in common is the insatiable need to stretch themselves—to push themselves and their teams to the edges of their individual and collective comfort zones. They are in what I call “The Growth Posture,” and they are able to maintain it.
For the leaders I work with, the joy is truly in the journey…even for those who reach a monumental “destination” like the sale of the company, or transitioning it to the next generation. They often go on to found, purchase, or lead another company or find some other way to continue to lead people. They keep learning, growing and leading.
So, are you stretching yourself? Prioritizing the most important things? Staying on track toward your goals? Maintaining your balance? Staying aligned with yourself, your vision and values, and your team? How are you finding your quiet in the noise surrounding you, and staying strong and flexible, no matter what the context?
What would make a difference in your ability to lead the company and the life you’re envisioning? What practices might be helpful in reaching your goals? What might be better left in the past as you focus on this moment—the only moment you’re really in?
Helping Leaders Grow: It’s the work I’m in—and I’m all in!
It has been said that Yoga is a journey of the self, through the self, to the self. Leadership seems to me to be a journey of the self, through the self, to the self…to a such point where we can lead ourselves well enough that others will follow.
If that resonates with you, then let’s talk about where you are, where you’re headed, and what you think might be standing between you and your current goals, and the next ones…. Let’s discover if there’s a fit, and if there is, let’s grow together.
~Beth Berman
