In this podcast, Chris discusses level three of the consciousness cone, focusing on effort. He revisits levels one and two, which involve moving beyond anger, greed, and hate, and explains the subtle nature of effective leadership. Chris introduces the inner wealth process, which replaces negative emotions with vision, inspiration, and purpose, and describes the seven-step back-on-track process. The steps include balancing the mind, incorporating exercise, enhancing the environment, setting priorities, maintaining a VIP statement, practising positive self-talk, and celebrating results. He emphasizes mindfulness and the importance of calmness and self-control in leadership.

PODCAST

Introduction

Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are. Today, I’m indoors, ready to share a podcast that I hope will rock your boat. We’ve reached the level of the consciousness cone, conscious leadership, level three: effort. But before we dive into that, let’s revisit levels one and two to ensure we’re on the same page.

Level One: Beyond Anger, Greed, and Hate

Understanding Anger, Greed, and Hate

At the base level, conscious leadership begins by moving beyond anger, greed, and hate. Anger is defined as being pissed off or frustrated with something. Greed is being overly attached to an outcome. Hate manifests as like and dislike. These are subtle yet enormous qualities, and understanding their nuances is essential for growth.

Embracing Subtlety

Subtlety is the art of 2024. In a world increasingly dominated by AI, the gross aspects of our existence are taken over. What remains for us is the subtle, and it’s in this subtlety that true leadership with consciousness resides. Effective leadership, even if it’s just in one aspect of your life, correlates with higher pay and longer tenure in companies. However, anger, greed, and hate can obstruct good leadership.

Replacing Negative Emotions with Vision, Inspiration, and Purpose

The Inner Wealth Process

The inner wealth process focuses on vision, inspiration, and purpose to replace these negative emotions. Do you know your vision, inspiration, and purpose? These should be established in a coaching session and documented on a single A4 piece of paper. This written document is invaluable.

The Back on Track Process

Balancing the Mind

The back-on-track process is the foundation of the consciousness cone. It’s a seven-step process starting with balancing your mind. This involves taking an emotional shower daily or completing a discard form on a word. For instance, I recently did one on the word “arrogance” to ensure I wasn’t judging a coaching client unfairly. Balancing the mind means recognising your own biases and not letting them control you.

Incorporating Exercise

A little exercise daily, about 20 minutes, is crucial. It could be as simple as sitting straight, walking, drinking water, taking a vitamin pill, eating well, or practising relaxation techniques like the corpse poses or hugging a tree. We’re focusing on the cellular chemistry of the body, influenced by thoughts, emotions, diet, and exercise.

Enhancing Your Environment

Your environment significantly impacts your state of mind. Pay subtle attention to your attire, desk organisation, and cleanliness. Aim to work near nature, where you can see something green. This subtle environmental shift can enhance your productivity and well-being.

Setting Priorities

Daily priorities are crucial. Identify your values and distil them into four daily priorities. Mine are read, write, travel, and speak. These activities align with my purpose and mission, ensuring I light my flame every day.

Vision, Inspiration, Purpose (VIP) Statement

Your VIP statement should be a written document that you read daily. It’s critical for staying on track and avoiding negative emotions like anger. If you don’t have a VIP statement, it’s essential to create one immediately.

The Power of Self-Talk

Self-talk is another vital step. Whether it’s motivating, instructing, or rewarding yourself, get into the habit of positive self-communication. This discipline can significantly impact your success and ability to achieve more than you thought possible.

Celebrating Results

Finally, celebrate your daily successes. An emotional shower can help you recognise the value of your daily efforts, preventing unnecessary self-criticism.

Moving Up the Consciousness Cone: Mindfulness and Effort

The Role of Mindfulness

The next level up is mindfulness. This involves being aware of your thoughts, emotions, body, and surroundings. Mindfulness enhances the effectiveness of the back on track process, allowing you to operate at a higher level of subtlety and sensitivity.

Embracing Effort

Effort in conscious leadership means self-control and movement with poise. It’s about maintaining calmness and strength in all activities. Excitement is weakness; calmness is strength. Energetic repose, or grandeur, is achieved when you can be excited and calm simultaneously.

Practicing Calmness and Strength

When irritated, remain calm. When nervous, remain still. Practice this calmness between performances. Adopt a demeanor that’s not easily embarrassed or moved by others’ remarks. True leadership is reflected in this calm strength.

The Art of Self-Control

Learning the art of self-control is crucial. Whether it’s through maintaining balance, seeing growth opportunities, or simply enjoying what you do, this strength and energetic repose are vital at the level of effort.

Developing Self-Control

The Practice of Steadiness

Don’t be afraid to look someone in the eyes, or better yet, between the eyes, just above the forehead. Stay motionless when others are excited or talking. Transform every disturbing influence into an idle wave, battering hopelessly against the strong wall of your calmness.

The Water Exercise

One way to practice this is the water exercise. Fill a glass above the rim, creating a meniscus, and place a piece of wax paper on top. Hold the glass on the back of your hand, 30 centimetres from your body, and keep it there for a minute. Then, extend your arm fully for another minute. This exercise helps control the jitters and steadies your nerves.

Repeat with the other hand, maintaining the same process. This exercise, known as the gold leaf exercise