At Chairworld, the gathering of 600+ Vistage Chairs from 22 countries, many of us were interviewed by a wandering video crew. I was asked to introduce myself, where I was from and how long I had been a Chair. They asked if there was one thing, one mantra or saying that I lived by. Oh wow! It just popped out – “to come from love.”
Unpacking that is a trip!
My Mother was a child of the depression, and her world view was that you couldn’t be too careful. People had to earn your trust. Friends were few and words of praise, love and appreciation were hard won. You showed it, you didn’t say it.
So, for me to get to a place where “to come from love” would be spoken, on video, to the community of my peers, where someone could laugh or worse hold me accountable, no to be laughed at would be worse….well, it has been a journey. And, I’m not afraid if someone laughs. And, yes, please hold me accountable.
I have been in the safe place for becoming the best version of myself for a long time. It is hard to be in Vistage and NOT do the deeper work that it requires as a leader and as a person. Every one to one, every group meeting, we work to become better. We share our dreams and goals. We ask for help, for feedback, for insight, for best practices. To demand that level of performance from my Members, I have to hold myself to that standard. I cannot ask them to level up if I am not leveling up myself.
If I come from love, I don’t come from fear. If I come from love, I bring my best self. If I come from love, I assume good intent. I appreciate, I notice, I witness how you shine. I always have the option to protect myself, to be guarded, to seek safety. I don’t have to start that way.
What is the mantra you live by? Did you choose it? Is it your best you? If not, can you make it an affirmation that brightens up your life and brings you more joy?
This week, find a quiet time to reflect on how you feel in your best moments. How do you live there more often?
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Photo of Glendale from up the hill