In today's episode of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, we unlock the power of self-awareness to become a greater leader. Discover how understanding your inner biological signals can transform your ability to lead effectively.
We're going to get into the concept of "interoception"—the ability to sense and interpret your internal signals. Learn why acknowledging and acting on these internal cues is crucial for effective leadership and how it ties into psychological flexibility.
Interoception, as I explain, serves as our internal GPS, allowing us to sense and interpret signals from our body, such as heart rate and tension, which form the foundation of emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-awareness. Sadly, many of us operate as detached heads, unaware of our internal state, which hampers our ability to connect with and impact others meaningfully.
Building interoceptive awareness is a critical skill for leaders. By making time for regular check-ins with oneself and practicing techniques like breath work, movement, and journaling, leaders can reconnect with their bodies, notice patterns, and make informed, value-based decisions. These practices bring us out of our heads and into our bodies, allowing us to become more attuned to our internal signals.
I urge you to incorporate interoceptive practices into your daily routine. Slow down, check-in with yourself multiple times a day, and reflect on your internal state. By doing so for just one week, you'll undoubtedly notice a positive change in how you show up and lead. Remember, our actions stem from our feelings, so understanding what's happening inside is vital.
As always, I will leave you with practical advice and actions based on the resources shared, and I challenge you to put into action this week. Will you choose to do that?
Let’s get started...
Top Takeaways from this Week's Potential Leader Lab
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Interoception as Your Internal GPS: It’s essential for emotional intelligence (EQ), resilience, and self-awareness. Without it, our actions risk being accidental rather than intentional.
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Psychological Flexibility: Central to great leadership, it requires being present, open, and accepting of all thoughts, feelings, and sensations to take values-driven actions.
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Impact of Emotional Contagion: Your internal state is contagious. Leaders have the responsibility to show up as an "8 out of 10" to positively influence their teams' emotional states.
Key Moments in this Week's Leadership Podcast
- 00:13 - Intro – The Importance of Self-Knowledge in Leadership
- 00:48 - Understanding Interoception and Its Impact
- 01:45 - The Role of Emotions in Our Actions
- 04:35 - The Significance of Slowing Down and Being Present
- 06:53 - Energy and Emotional Contagion 09:23 - Why Leaders Must Embrace Emotions
- 11:10 - The Three Components of Psychological Flexibility
- 12:32 - Moving from Accidental to Intentional Actions
- 18:29 - The Responsibility of Leaders to Impact Emotional States
- 19:36 - Action Steps for Enhancing Interoceptive Awareness
- 24:58 - Conclusion – The Path to Impactful Leadership
Take Home Resources
- Enroll in The Emerging Leader Toolkit - by Perry Maughmer
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