I’m saying this as someone who has perpetuated this old ‘carrot or stick’ business paradigm, personally.
It’s such a common practice, many business leaders don’t even question it. I didn’t for a long time either.
But as I continue to grow as a more socially-emotionally intelligent leader, I have awakened to this toxic workplace norm and am committed to stopping it at my company - both internally and in our business relationships.
We will not have a company culture of stress, fear and frenzied fire drills - we will co-create a culture of thoughtful, strategic and emotionally-balanced approaches & responsiveness.
I owe much of my own growth as a more gentle leader to my daily work with the flight-response of horses. Getting a 1000-pound powerful (and dangerous) animal to work with me willingly shines a spotlight on my edges. They show me where I don’t ask kindly, where I ask too much, where I get frustrated too easily…
And then I reflect, I look at where and how this shows up in my life and work, and I commit to doing better.
I would love to know - who here is doing the same?
I’m considering putting together a support framework for leaders who are doing the HARD WORK to actively dismantle this kind of business-as-usual programming. It’s exhausting to constantly push against the system but for me - it’s the only choice.
The ugly, demanding, greedy side of capitalism is unsustainable. There is a better way. And I would like to spend more time with likeminded people so we can support each other to create it together.
Posts filed under Conscious Leadership
Conscious Leadership Conversation & Virtual Wine Tasting
I talk about “Conscious Leadership” quite a bit but what does that really mean?
For me, it consists of three parts:
1. Breaking the old business paradigm and removing the partition from my heart and my work
2. Committing to a Whole Human approach to company culture that balances profit and purpose, people and planet.
3. Evolving personally, continually expanding my own consciousness - meaning: healing personal trauma and gaining self-awareness of unconscious patterns of thoughts and behaviors (often called ‘shadow self’) to be the most integrated, holistically-well I can be physically, mentally and emotionally so that I bring my best self to work and relationships.
So - in short “doing the work” to live in integrity personally and organizationally.
This is my favorite topic in the whole world right now and if it piques your interest, too - I would love for you to join for a lively discussion with me, my team, leaders from Dough wines, proud supporters of the James Beard Foundation, and the one and only Jennifer English, Food & Beverage Editor-at-Large.
When: Wednesday, June 16, 3pm PST
RSVP Here ✉️ https://bit.ly/3wlcAxN
Our Panelists:
- Jennifer English, Editor at Large, Food & Beverage Magazine
- Clayton Seeto, Marketing Director, Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners/Dough Wines
- Kate McManus, VP of Marketing, Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners/Dough Wines
- Lee Morse, Assistant Winemaker, Dough Wines
Hosted by:
MTO CEO & Founder Gretchen Fox
This group of conscious leaders will discuss what's at the top of every impact-driven business leader & marketer's mind right now, including:
+ Setting new industry standards in sustainability
+ Creating a new, better normal as we head back into the world
Join us!
Conscious Leadership with a Country in Crisis
As values-based organizations, our responses to moments like these are critical and meaningful.
The George Floyd murder and ensuing response is a national crisis.
Our Black communities have been asking for change to police excessive force and brutality for all of history and this latest murder, video and initial response by the police appears to be the final straw.
With a pandemic and economic crisis as the backdrop for this scenario, I think we can all feel the gravity of what is happening right now.
As the leader of a digital agency, I want to share a few things:
Our Black employees, colleagues and customers need our support right now. Please, consider mental and emotional crisis support to help them process their pain and fear. They may need PTO and they definitely need to know that they are safe at work, along with the steps we are taking to ensure they feel safe.
Consider internal company-wide communications to ensure all employees know that this is a very sensitive time and you expect all employees to act in accordance with company values. In this moment, that means (fill in how you expect people to behave towards one another and towards customers, clients, etc).
Consider reviewing all marketing and social media materials to ensure they are appropriate at this moment. Pausing to address this very real issue is highly recommended where appropriate.
Be a safe place for diverse employees and take the time to get help if you are not sure what is the right thing to do. Not doing anything is often worse than trying and bumbling your way through it honestly and respectfully.
More than ever, the world needs authentic, kind, and heart-felt leadership. And most importantly - transformational change .
