By Sally Bartolameolli & Kim Siongco,
In turbulent times, in stable times, and at any time that you want to grow your business and develop yourself professionally or personally, transformational practices for communication make the difference. These simple, introductory practices provide guidance and structure for taking risks to cultivate and expand the reach of your business and the reach of your impact; as a leader in an organization, as an entrepreneur, and as a leader in your own life.
At LORA Bridges (www.lorabridges.com) Leadership, Openness, Results & Awareness, we speak about the practices and tools that we will be sharing as energies that are accessible from within regardless of your title or position.
We organize these energies into four quadrants in order to access and develop the power of leadership, the power of openness, the power of results, & the power of awareness.
Research says that behaviors practiced over 30 days become habits, and over 90 days become lifestyle changes.
Leadership Quadrant~Visioning
When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
~ Audre Lorde
From this quadrant of Leadership, the introductory practice is Intentional Visioning. Intentional Visioning is the process of pausing, going within, and claiming our own agency around what it is that we want to have happen, in the communication. We write it down in our business journal, allow ourselves to imagine the positive connection and bridge-building that will occur, and then breathe into that vision. Writing it down engages our body, mind, and spirit in a way that grounds the vision and draws from within and from outside, the supportive resources we need.
Openness Quadrant~Honesty
Honesty and openness are always the foundation of insightful dialogue.
~ Bell Hooks
From this quadrant of Openness, the introductory practice is Intentional Honesty. As with the Leadership quadrant and practice of Visioning, this practice calls us within to focus on the only person that we can impact in the communication – ourselves.
As we discussed in our commentary (insert commentary here) copy and paste from below, we often carry some emotional challenges from past communications that have gone awry rather than focusing on the Vision for the communication.
Using our journal, we take 5 minutes to write down what we might be bringing into the communication; naming our feelings (remember feelings are not facts but they do inform us), being honest about our fears, ego concerns, or any attachments to an outcome that we may have. We honestly notice, remembering there is nothing to do but notice, and treat ourselves with kindness and gentleness. Then, we commit them to paper, naming it and setting it aside, receiving any wisdom.
We are now freer to focus on the higher vision in service of all.
Results Quadrant~Focusing
A little progress each day adds up to big results.
~ Anonymous
From this quadrant of Results, the introductory practice is Intentional Focusing. This practice reminds us of our focus and we commit to specific, measurable results. If it is not measurable and specific, how will we know when we accomplish our goals?
With our vision guiding us, our self-honesty naming and setting aside what might distract us, we are free to focus on the specific results we want to accomplish. When we intentionally focus with others on the specific results and vision we’ve established, there is a convergence of focus and attention to bring those results to fruition. We build a team-oriented culture. It’s fun to celebrate together when outcomes are achieved!
Awareness Quadrant~Detachment
Awareness is the greatest agent for change.
~ Eckhart Tolle
From this quadrant of Awareness, the introductory practice is Intentional Detachment. The awareness quadrant in LORA bridges is about perspective. When we are in a communication with a commitment to transformation and build bridges, detachment allows us to listen to all perspectives without taking anything personally. If we must address something at a later date, we can do this, but for now, listening with detachment for the service of all creates a culture of being valued for what individuals may contribute. We also gain perspectives that we may not have considered.
A new perspective can “transition in form” (the root of transformation) any situation or communication.
For more information about E-Courses, trainings, or complimentary downloads, visit www.lorabridges.com. Copyright 2020.
