Lead With IntentChikamu

6. Principle - Practice - Impact on Culture

Authenticity - Reflection - Awareness

Authenticity is such a popular word today. The call in the world is to be authentic, to be yourself, but how do I become more authentic, who I am, in a world where the curse of our day is distraction? It isn't easy to know who you are if you are constantly told who to be. Look at these words in Proverbs 27: 19 "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." As a child, I loved to play in the water. I grew up in a rural area with many streams and dams. Playing in muddy water was so much fun. I loved looking at my reflection in the water, but if the water was muddy and moving, I could not see my reflection. Only when the water was still, and the water cleared when the soil causing the muddiness of the water moved to the bottom could I see my reflection.

The practice of reflection means taking the time to sit still, in solitude and silence, allowing the noise and busyness of the world to move out of my mind. Then I will start noticing who I am. Then I will see my heart as the Proverbs writer says. In our dealings with clients, our first focus will be to assist them in developing this practice. This brings tremendous awareness to the leader. Imagine a place of work where we are all aware of who we truly are. The relationships will be honest, open, and authentic. Leaders with intent create this culture of awareness.