The Leadership Dojo: Build Your Foundation as an Exemplary Leader

As the singers settle into their seats again, I sum up the point of the exercise: It is the middle way between chaos and rigidity—the flow of independent voices linked together in harmony—that maximizes both complexity and vitality. This is the essence of integration.

Grounded confidence is driven by learning and curiosity—even about our own bodies. For many of us, myself included, it’s easier to live in our heads and be completely disconnected from our bodies. But there’s a cost. Insomnia, injuries, exhaustion, depression, anxiety—the body has powerful ways to get our attention.

Thus, the multifaceted capacity to be present becomes a key factor in effective leadership: the quality of one’s capacity to be fully present, comprehend what is happening, hold steady in the field of action, and make choices regarding when and how to intervene from within the social group (from wherever you sit) in ways that help the group to make

How do we build “intense trust” in ourselves? The same way we build trust in any relationship: We DO what we say we will do.