ONE The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership

If not me, who?  If not now, when?
It's one of those brisk winter days and as I sit in my comfy chair by the window I thought about these fascinating yet turbulent times we are living in as we step into 2007.  Considering all of that, I feel compelled to leave a hopeful legacy that will empower upcoming generations to go forward into a bright and promising future.

 I believe Dr. Lance Secretan can help us do that and more.  He discusses the promise of using universal principles in his latest book, "ONE The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership," to create communities of integrity, inspiration and balance while still including the obvious need for economic growth.

 Lance Secretan said, 'As leaders, we become whole when we see that our focused, singular commitment to making the numbers and metrics cannot be effective on its own, but only when it is part of the whole picture - only when we see that it takes more than metrics to make up the whole.'

 'People need to be inspired, according to Dr. Secretan, and they don't want to feel like robots that go to work every day, only to satisfy the self-interests of shareholders.' 

 One of many reasons why small and medium sized business leaders and entrepreneurs are so essential to the well-being of every community is that they have the potential to open up the minds and hearts of future leaders.   

 Secretan uses his CASTLE principles, an acronym for Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love and Effectiveness, with many large and small organizations, as a template to focus their vision and goals and to help create a more promising business environment that fosters a growing company culture.

 Courage is the cornerstone and the first CASTLE Principle. Every one of the remaining principles depends upon our willingness to be Courageous.  Authenticity is the second principle. Dr. Secretan mentions that 'as children, many of us traded our wholeness, our Authentic self, for approval from our family, peers, teachers, and others.'

 Danny Thomas said, 'Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others.' He understood the third principle of Service. It is impossible to have a meaningful life without being of service to others.  It makes life worthwhile when our purpose includes making a positive difference.  Lance mentions, 'When we serve others, we become one of them.'

 The fourth principle is Truthfulness.  Every great teacher in history has said something similar: We are one; so clearly there is wisdom in learning to love each other and tell the Truth. In times like these, we simply must keep repeating those prudent words in every language for all present and future generations.  We live in times when truth telling is far from black and white, and words are frequently spoken in many shades with the lines of honesty quite invisible.

                    Mahatma Gandhi said: 'There is no God higher than truth'.

 The fifth principle is Love.  Dr. Secretan believes that conscious leaders must have the 'courage to be humble, forgiving, and loving, as well as authentic,' and as a consequence they are much more inspiring and effective leaders.  He has experienced how conscious leaders use their sincerity to engage the hearts of others. There is deep wisdom and power in opening our hearts and using them to relate to others. Lance said, 'These are the relationships that inspire, because they are heart-to-heart and cause us to feel and connect as one.'

 If we live the first five CASTLE Principles, Secretan believes we will become more consciously Effective as Leaders. Sixth and the last principle is Effectiveness.  Effectiveness is defined as being capable of, and successful in, achieving the physical, material, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual goals we set in life.  The specifics of what that means to you, is quite individual.  Secretan is clear about the importance of Effectiveness for the conscious leader.  He believes that “true Effectiveness begins with a dream—a vision drawn from myth, mystery, and magic.”  How one manifests that dream rests upon the degree of mastery in implementing one’s dream.  After we have successfully realized the dream, it is time to celebrate our success.  To keep the momentum going, it is essential to celebrate the milestones along the way by acknowledging the whole team in the celebration.

 Lance clearly understands that it is not always easy to love each other and tell the whole Truth. However, he genuinely believes that when we love each other and tell the Truth, we are one.  The challenge I make to you is to consider these ideas and understand that you can be a change agent right where you are now.  You can live these ideas in your business and personal life.  I was inspired by what I experienced as a member on the One team, and my New Year wish is that you are also. Take a look at these diagrams, and consider what they mean.  I have experienced the results of being on a team that uses these ideas. They are at the heart of the message of ONE: The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership.  All of the CASTLE material in this article belongs to Lance Secretan and is used with permission from the author.  For more information please go to the Secretan website at www.secretan.com.

Barbara R. Walley is a Life Coach, ordained minister and is a certified presenter of the ONE material.  If you would like to invite her to speak for your organization or provide a workshop please contact her at (419) 531-7071.

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