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The Body-Wise Leader: How Connecting to Your Physical Self Can Take Your Leadership to New Heights

written by

Ilene

lisa zigarmi podcast body wise

Ep 014 with Lisa Zigarmi

In the realm of leadership, success rhetoric often echoes the importance of cultivating the brain, fostering a growth mindset, and sharpening one’s memory. But what about our bodies?

In this episode of What’s Possible, I’m speaking with organizational psychologist and executive coach, Lisa Zigarmi, who emphasizes the conscious relationship with our bodies as a strategic approach to leadership excellence.

The Missing Piece: A Holistic Approach to Leadership

Our bodies, often relegated to the sidelines in discussions of leadership, emerge as an integral component of the success puzzle. Lisa invites us to shift our perspective, recognizing that the body plays a pivotal role in our journey to becoming the best leaders we can be.
 
As an organizational psychologist and executive coach, she prioritizes a conscious relationship with her body, incorporating movement, sleep, and nutrition into her daily routines.
 
This intentional investment in the body yields remarkable dividends. It goes beyond mere wellness routines; it’s a strategic approach to leadership that enhances decision-making, strengthens relationships, sparks creativity, and acts as a preventive measure against burnout.
 

The Impact of Tuning into Our Bodies

Decision-Making Mastery

In our conversation, Lisa highlights how tuning into our bodies elevates our decision-making abilities. By cultivating awareness of bodily sensations, we gain deeper insights into our emotional states, allowing us to make decisions aligned with our authentic selves. This heightened awareness acts as a compass, guiding us toward choices that resonate with our values and goals.

Building Stronger Relationships

The body-mind connection isn’t confined to personal introspection; it extends to our interactions with others. Lisa emphasizes that a conscious relationship with the body fosters stronger connections with colleagues, employees, and partners. By being attuned to our own emotional states, we become more empathetic leaders, capable of understanding and responding to the needs of those around us.

Igniting Creativity

Creativity, a prized quality in leadership, finds a surprising ally in the body. Lisa encourages us to view our bodies not just as vessels for action but as sources of inspiration. Incorporating movement and other body-focused practices stimulates creative thinking, unlocking innovative solutions to challenges and fostering a dynamic, forward-thinking leadership style.

Burnout Prevention

In the fast-paced world of leadership, burnout is an ever-looming threat. Lisa’s insights underscore the preventive power of the body-mind connection. By incorporating practices such as sufficient sleep, regular movement, and balanced nutrition, leaders can fortify themselves against the physical and emotional toll of burnout. The body becomes a resilient anchor, grounding leaders in the face of challenges.

Navigating the Body-Mind Connection: Practical Steps

So, how do we actually build this mind-body connection? Lisa’s wisdom extends beyond theory, offering tangible steps to navigate the body-mind connection and unleash leadership excellence.

1. Body Scan: A Daily Practice
 Take a moment to pause, center yourself, and conduct a mental scan of your body. Notice any tension, sensations, or emotions. This practice cultivates self-awareness, providing valuable information for navigating daily challenges with resilience and insight.
2. Movement Integration
Incorporating movement into your routine isn’t just about physical health—it’s a catalyst for enhanced leadership. Find movement practices that resonate with you, whether it’s a brisk walk, a rejuvenating yoga session, or any form of physical activity that brings joy and vitality. Movement becomes a gateway to creativity, resilience, and well-being.
3. Mindful Eating and Sleep Hygiene
As non-negotiable elements of leadership well-being, these practices contribute not only to physical health but also to mental acuity, emotional balance, and sustained energy levels. Leaders who invest in these foundational aspects of self-care position themselves for sustained success.

A Catalyst for Change

True leadership goes beyond the boardroom—it’s a journey that begins within ourselves. By embracing the body-mind connection, leaders can unlock a new dimension of success, one where well-being, authenticity, and transformative leadership converge. 

This episode with Lisa Zigarmi serves as a compelling exploration of the body-mind connection in leadership. It challenges us to broaden our understanding of success, inviting us to prioritize a conscious relationship with our bodies as a strategic pathway to excellence.

Want to have a deeper conversation about how to implement these steps? Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

Listen to the episode here:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

written by

Ilene

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