A Framework To Build Resilience in Leadership
In order to function optimally, nature goes through four seasons. All are essential, and none are better than the others (despite the personal preferences of us humans).
Spring allows for new growth and emerging life; Summer allows for abundant creativity and vitality; Autumn is a time to reflect, and shed things that have had their time; in Winter the ground rests and recovers to get ready for Spring.
Humans, being part of nature, are no different. Each of us have natural energy rhythms - moments or days where we feel full to the brim with enthusiasm and activity; moments or days where we need to withdraw and be still. Paying attention to your own ‘inner seasons’ can be an incredibly powerful way of harnessing your full potential, whilst also honouring your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
I’ve been exploring ‘inner season’ work with several clients in recent weeks - all leaders responsible for inspiring teams and steering an organisation to sustainable growth in a VUCA world.
So what are the benefits of inner season work for leaders?
Inner season work increases your self-awareness. This may sound basic, but it’s EVERYTHING. The more you understand yourself - your natural energy cycle, your experience of different inner seasons - the more tools you have at your disposal to reach your full potential. And the more you bring into your Circle of Control - see my Instagram post on this!
Inner season work can make life easier. When you learn to live and work IN SYNC with your natural rhythm rather than continually fighting against it, you’ll notice an expansion of your skills and impact.
Inner season work guards against burnout. By honouring the energy that IS present for you in any moment rather than pushing for something different, you keep more internal system in balance.
Inner season work is a powerful tool to use with teams. Leaders often seek to optimise team performance through understanding skills and behaviours; creating a common ‘energy’ language adds further depth to this. In a world where we are not in daily contact with our teams, inner season work can also create deepen your connection to your team members as you share your humanity with them. I’ve written more on the need for new types of connection here.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Below, I’ve shared a suggested approach to exploring the inner seasons framework for yourself (and your team). But first, a quick reality check…
In an ideal world, we would all align our natural energy to the demands of our work. But the reality is that organisations have their OWN rhythms - fiscal years, performance reviews, business development targets - not to mention the cycles of a global client base. I am, of course, not suggesting that you cancel a contract renegotiation on the only day in 2021 that your client’s CFO can make because you are in your ‘inner Winter’. What I AM inviting you to do is to reflect on how this model CAN help you, rather than reflect on how it CAN’T help you. Work through the below exercise, and then ask yourself “what could I do differently in my work and life, to better honour my inner seasons?”
How to use the Inner Seasons Framework for you & your team
Take a piece of paper and divide into quadrants. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Using the very brief descriptions i gave at the start of this article, what season do you intuitively recognise in yourself today, in this moment? Start there.
Notice what your mood is like in this season. How does your body feel? Who do you want to be around? What do you want to be doing? What activities and tasks feel easy and effortless? What activities and tasks feel like a slog? Fill out the quadrant with as much detail as you can of what this inner season is like for YOU.
Repeat for the other three seasons, noticing which ones you feel more ‘positively’ about, and which ones are more ‘negative’. In a capitalist society, we’re often more comfortable with Summer and Spring…
Now, what could you do differently in your work and life, to better honour your inner seasons?