Category: Change Leadership

How Can Leaders Master Waves of Change?

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Change communication, Change Leadership, Mental training

 

Photo: Anne-Maria Yritys. California.

“The Pessimist complains about the wind; the Optimist expects it to change; the Realist adjusts the sails” (William Arthur Ward)

…The Surfer rides the waves of change. Sometimes falling, but always climbing back upon the surfing board, without giving up: 

http://bit.ly/TheWeatherChannelFreaksofNatureBigWavesSurfing

The Weather Channel´s Big Waves Surfing video is a rather extreme example, and the purpose of sharing it is by no means a suggestion for anyone to try anything similar out personally, only to serve as a demonstration for the kind of attitude embracing change may require.

Regardless of your formal status, in your mind you can become a brave surfer who learns to master small and big waves, riding your surfing board through the waves of personal and business life.

The benefits of “mental surfing”:

  • Activity – keeps you going and hinders you from stagnation

“A rolling stone gathers no moss”

  • Anticipation – forecasting everything (with a 100 % accuracy) is impossible, but anticipation is equal to being prepared

“Why do great writers use anticipation instead of surprise? Surprise is merely an instrument of the unusual, whereas anticipation of a consequence enlarges our understanding of what is happening”. (Roger Rosenblatt)

  • Consciousness – regular “mind-surfing” enhances your awakening-process and helps you reach untapped potential within yourself

“You are an explorer, and you represent our species, and the greatest good you can do is to bring back a new idea, because our world is endangered by the absence of good ideas. Our world is in crisis because of the absence of consciousness”. (Terence McKenna)

  • Creativity – like surfing, creativity is hard work

“Creativity is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration”.

  • Development – activity together with consciousness lead to development, which is relevant for mastering change successfully

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership”. (Harvey S. Firestone)

  • Education – the more you educate yourself, the better you are prepared for mastering change

“The true purpose of education is to make minds, not careers” (William Deresiewicz)

  • Fantasy – Daydreaming and regular stargazing are said to increase health

“If you can dream it, you can do it” (Walt Disney)

  • Innovation – All of the above are essential to your personal innovation process (and, for innovation in general)

“Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable”. (William Pollard)

  • Learning – Change is always about learning

“Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward”. (Henry Ford)

  • Mental mapping/training – A surfer, or any other (sports) person has to train his/her mind, and have the capability of building maps that can be useful when implemented into action in the physical world

“If the brain is a lock, the mind map is the key” (Bob Pike)

  • NLP – Neuro-linguistic programming as a multi-dimensional process develops behavioral competence and flexibility in addition to being a “tool” for self-discovery

“What we think we become – your voice can change the world”

  • Open-mindedness – Only with an open mind can we reach higher levels of consciousness and extend our learning experiences

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” (Albert Einstein)

  • Playfulness – children are naturally playful, but playfulness is important throughout life in order to embrace, and live change

“Life is playfulness – we need to play so that we can rediscover the magical around us” (Flora Colao)

  • Rest – Our bodies and minds need enough rest in order to stay creative

“Rest. Sleep. Let your mind have the dream s/he desires and let your body have the peace s/he deserves”.

  • Silence – Recommended reading (if you haven´t read it already): Silence – The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise (Thich Nhat Hanh)

“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom” (Francis Bacon)

  • Turbulence – Life, and the world, can sometimes feel turbulent. When we all learn how to stay calm in our minds, the world will not be the same again.

“Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let’s love turbulence and use it for change”. (Ramsey Clark)

  • Vision – There are many ways of strengthening personal vision. Vision can be enhanced through various means, such as balancing one´s chakras, and activation of the pineal gland (third eye chakra), through regular meditation and/or yoga.

“Don’t underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global movement, you need to have a core belief that what you contribute can fundamentally change the paradigm or way of thinking about problems”. (Leroy Hood)

“Continuous personal development is the best possible investment”.

Leader – Change The World

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Change Leadership, Transformational Leadership

 “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.”

(Andrew Carnegie)

My humblest thank you goes to the individual who inspired me to write this post – the one who wrote me: “It is foolish to think that one person can change the world”. In a way this person was absolutely right, because one individual out of more than 7,2 billion upon Earth can hardly change the world alone. This is the reality we are all faced with, and the realization of which is part of growing up.

However, in adulthood, many people forget how stay connected with their inner child, the one that inspires them to have faith, and believe in the impossible. Diverging ourselves from our true nature occurs due to a number of reasons, many times because of experiences on our life paths, and because many individuals face a lack of inspiration in and during their lives.

Yet, inspirational leaders often emerge out of the blue, often through challenging circumstances or when scarce resources bring forth the true qualities of an individual. How often has suffering ultimately turned into a wonderful life story? Our world is full of extraordinary transformational leaders, people who have experienced some major life changing events, allowing a deep, personal transformation develop into becoming an inspirational leader. I would like you to watch the following video, where actor and comedian Jim Carrey speaks about Spiritual Awakening, and the fact that we are all one:

http://bit.ly/JimCarreySpiritualAwakening

Jim Carrey as a well-known actor and comedian is a great example of an inspirational leader who managed to rise above challenging circumstances, transforming these into a positive and successful career, and manifested his dreams by turning them into reality.

One leader alone not being enough to change the world is a fact, but every (aspiring) leader is aware of the power of intention together with action. World-transforming leaders are those who are brave enough to believe that they actually can change the world, not alone, but through setting an example, and inspiring others individuals into becoming world-transforming leaders as well. 

World-transforming leadership starts by changing our personal thoughts, because our thoughts create our reality, and our thoughts lead to our actions, which lead to our everyday reality. Our thoughts and actions also have the power to influence other individuals, which is why it is so important to realize why thinking positive thoughts, and taking positive actions leads to increased positivity in our surroundings. We are all energy, and the energy we personally send out into the Universe radiates back into our lives.

World-transforming leaders are willing to internalize following facts:

  • You cannot change the world alone, but you can change yourself.
  • Your thoughts and actions become your reality, and the energy you radiate/send out is definitely coming back to you.
  • You can always set an example to other individuals, despite of your formal status.
  • Transformative leadership requires authenticity, self-discipline, and assertiveness.
  • Surround yourself with individuals with whom you resonate, people who support you and people who you support.
  • Express gratitude, and be thankful for all lessons in your life. Both the positive, and the less positive.
  • Learn to BALANCE your life. Easier said than done, but do your best! Many (aspiring) leaders work too hard, and too much, resulting in various health problems.
  • Remember, you are a HUMAN BEING (a spiritual being in a human body), not a HUMAN DOING (a spiritual doing in a human body). As energetic as you may be, no smart leader does everything alone. Smart leaders take care of themselves both physically and mentally, because a smart leader realizes that GOOD PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH lead to better results in the long run. It is not egoistic to take care of yourself. It is essential, because people around you do sense your energy. If you are about to lead and transform the world by involving other individuals, you need to be in balance with yourself first.
  • Learn to TRANSFORM challenging situations into POSITIVE outcomes. Let the energy flow freely. Your positive energy radiates onto, and into, other individuals as well.

Finally, I am happy to share with you some quotes about CHANGING THE WORLD:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world”. 

(Harriet Tubman)

“January Sky”. Photo: Anne-Maria Yritys. 2015).

“Don’t underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global movement, you need to have a core belief that what you contribute can fundamentally change the paradigm or way of thinking about problems”.

(Leroy Hood)

“If Changing the World Signifies Being Foolish, Then I am More Than Happy to be a Fool”

 

 

Why 2015 is THE Year of Emerging and Empowered Female Leadership

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Authentic Leadership, Change Leadership, Female Leadership

(Business Lady Showing Thumbs Up. Artist: imagerymajestic. Freedigitalphotos.net. Published on 28062012).
     

Many people, in a number of cultures, have prejudices towards female leaders, very often subconsciously. This is due to a number of reasons, including the fact that women do not always even support one and another in business life, of course depending upon the organization. In many cultures stereotypes are more than strong, leaving a woman either having to adapt to the local culture and manners, or giving her the choice to become a catalyst for change, an emancipated woman driving changes both in her personal and professional lives. 


Stereotypes and cultural manners are not easily changed, since everything starts from early childhood, where small girls are often dressed in pink color and expected to behave in a certain way. If you are a girl, or a woman, behaving differently from what has been expected from you, you are often regarded as being either a complicated personality, or simply difficult. Even by other women. Being different, and driving change, is not easy, but it is possible.


I come from a culture where women have equal rights with men, which is not self-evident in most cultures in the world. In Finland, a woman has the freedom to do anything she wants to, just like men. We had a female president, Tarja Halonen, from 2000-2012. Women have also been eligible to vote since 1906, as the 2nd country in the world after New Zealand. However, on a global basis, 80 % or more of all poor people worldwide are still women. Even in Scandinavia, and Finland, domestic violence and an abuse of women is still high, among other injustices that women worldwide, unfortunately, have to deal with on a daily basis. 


As a woman, and a man, what can you do to improve the global conditions of women?


1. Check out organizations supporting and empowering women, and female leadership. For example, UN Women is campaigning for a more equal world through the empowerment of men to support women in its “He for She-campaign”. 


2. As a woman, make sure to support other women and their aspirations. Too often, women are said to act as wolves against each other, although many women support each other as well. You lose nothing by supporting other people, and individuals of the same gender. 


3. Leadership is not about gender, but considering the current state of the world, there is definitely a need for more balance between genders in regard to leadership, and decision-making in societies.


4. We have many strong and competent female leaders worldwide. Yet, the current situation is not enough. More women need to take action, responsibility, and step into leadership. 


5. As a woman – believe in yourself. We are biologically somewhat different from men, which does not make us lesser from males. What male leaders have not managed to achieve, is “left over”, or possible, for women to manage and to take care of. The potential is huge.


6. As long as gender is an issue, and people are not being treated equally, there is work to do, both for men and women. 

“Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country”. (Margaret Thatcher).

Merry Christmas to everyone, and a blessed & successful year 2015!

How To Become a Great Leader (And Make History)

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Authentic Leadership, Change Leadership
"Hand Holding Globe With Network". Freedigitalphotos.net.
“Hand Holding Globe With Network”. Freedigitalphotos.net.

 

“Great leaders are willing to sacrifice the numbers to save the people. Poor leaders sacrifice the people to save the numbers”.

(Simon Sinek) 

Leadership is NEVER about you. Great leadership even less. Leadership is not an issue of the EGO the EGO is something that managers are driven by. “Look at me, I am so fabulous”, or “Look at me, this is all about me, and how I want things to be”. 

Leaders do not act, or behave this way. Real Spiritual Leaders thrive from their hearts, and their minds, have learned their lessons, including humility and the fact that essentially, all leadership is about striving for a common goal, and aiming at reaching a state that benefits everyone. 

Unfortunately, due to deficiencies in the human mind, many managers mistake themselves for being leaders – driven by numbers rather than by people and forgetting that people are the driving forces rather than merely numbers. This begins, very often, at a very “bottom level”, where people with a low esteem need to push their self-esteem in order to lift themselves up. 

Great leadership is never about boosting yourself, your ego, or lifting yourself personally up. Great leadership is about working towards reaching a common goal, helping people along the way, about lifting others up, and saying “hey, we did a great job”. What we did, will have a positive impact on the world and everything that happens around us. Great leadership, and leadership from the spirit itself, is always positive, take other people into consideration, make them stronger, and develop human interaction into something better.

Great leadership is about forgetting about your ego, being willing to let others shine, helping others, and being positive. Spiritual warriors are those who will make history, which is something to keep in mind if you are willing to make it that far. Managers will be forgotten, people who have merely focused on getting a task done, neglecting both their own feelings as well as those of others. Spiritual leaders, on the other hand, are those who will be remembered and cherished by people. You only need to think about some of them – great spiritual leaders who have made themselves a name by sacrificing themselves and their egos for the greater good, and helping others in order to reach a common goal rather than serving their personal egos. 

Characteristics of great leaders: 

  • They always work for a common goal, not for the satisfaction of their personal ego´s. 
  • They are always willing to help people without asking for anything in return. 
  • They never complain, however much something may hurt. 
  • They ALWAYS stay positive, no matter how difficult circumstances may be. 
  • They know life is not only about them. 
  • They work to simplify lives for other people.
  • They are never ignorant, nor aggressive.
  • They never blame other people or circumstances. Neither do they blame themselves, but instead, know how to remain neutral and diplomatic. 
  • They respect themselves and others, but also have a sense of humor, and never take themselves too seriously. 
  • They are always open to learning, and always curious. 
  • They always care about people, and take the time to get to know their team in order to being capable of inspiring others. 
  • They are always open to improvement, both in themselves, and others. 
  • They are capable of receiving honest and direct feedback, and not only of giving some. 
  • They always stay positive, and know how to inspire people.

“Great leaders have a heart for people. They take time for people. They view people as the bottom line, not as a tool to get to the bottom line”.

(Pat Williams)

 

(Offshore Wind. Artist: xedos4. Freedigitalphotos.net. Published on 08112012).
(Offshore Wind. Artist: xedos4. Freedigitalphotos.net. Published on 08112012).

 

Purposeful Ambition and Living Your True Values

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Authentic Leadership, Business Ethics, Change Leadership, Life Coaching, Organizational Values, Personal Values
"Businessman Cheering Achievement". Freedigitalphotos.net.
“Businessman Cheering Achievement”. Freedigitalphotos.net.

What do you value in life? We all have values in our lives. Even organizations have values today, the most successful of which place the values at the very core of the organization, creating an organizational culture with the purpose of committing its employees to these values. This is a reason why smart companies include values in their long-term business strategy, attracting employees who they trust can live up to these values, and hopefully, even go beyond them. Therefore, when job-hunting and looking for long-term employment, or even if running your own business, make sure that you know what your values are. 

Why are values so important in the determination of your success in life, and at work? Because, if you understand your values, and you live against them, your outcome will not be successful. I know this from experience. A coach once said to me that I should not discuss values in my application, or express what I believe in and value. Why? To me that was not the best coaching experience. Someone asking me not to act according to my values, or to hide them, is simultaneously asking me to refrain from being my true self. During my MBA program one of our core courses included researching corporate values, in a real organization. This was done as teamwork through appreciative inquiry, a qualitative research method where a number of employees of the organization in question were interviewed. If not earlier, this particular research made me reflect upon my personal values both in business and private.  

It is no secret that values become increasingly important, and individuals want to work with purpose and meaning. 

I was actually inspired to write this article by author and speaker Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, whose work has influenced my life in a positive way. In his movie The Shift, the emphasis is put upon spiritual growth and moving from a place of ambition to purposeful ambition, and ambition with meaning. Dr. Dyer is speaking about peak experiences in life, sudden changes that have the characteristics of being vivid, surprising, benevolent, and enduring. At the very center of the lessons he is sharing with us through The Shift is the fact that we need to let go of the ego´s need to be right, surrender, trust in the natural flow of life, listening to our higher consciousness. Trusting the guidance of something larger than merely external circumstances, we connect to the place of Dharma in ourselves, and cease acting with force.

Further on, according to Dr. Dyer, enthusiasm and passion are signs for us living up to our true values. As he states, we live in a world where all things are possible, when we have faith. To cite Lao Tzu, according to whom virtues to live by are respect for all of life, sincerity/honesty, gentleness/kindness, and support/offering service to others. In general, we all want to lead a fulfilling life, and make a difference (in other people´s lives).

“And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth, You owe me. 

Look what happens with a love like that. It lights up the whole world”. 

(Hāfez, Spiritual Persian Poet and Mystic, 1325 –1389)