Some reflections on leadership and the word “boss…”
We are outrageously blessed to have an ever-growing team of 25 of us now at the Center for Thriving Relationships (several amazing souls not pictured here).
As our dreamy team members know, I cringe when one of them uses the word “boss” to describe Bret Davis Eartheart or me to somebody else. They often do it with a giggle, knowing it makes me wiggle and squirm in my boots.
Why?
I see us as simply working together, heart in heart and hand in hand.
I see myself (and Bret!) working as much for them as they are for us.
Just like any thriving relationship in any context, we enter into a mutual and shared commitment to and with each of them…
to seeing and celebrating each other’s strengths,
to deeply listening to and hearing each other,
to receiving feedback from one another with humility and open hearts and minds,
to supporting each other in our individual and collective growth and healing and awakening,
to communicating with empathy and appreciation,
to integrity and taking responsibility, rather than placing blame or criticism,
to making things right when we inevitably make mistakes,
to having grace for ourselves and each other,
to looking out for one another,
to seeing each other‘s best intentions,
to holding each other in the highest,
to serving our clients and students with our whole hearts,
to taking care of ourselves and each other so we can best care for others,
to deeply desiring each other’s greatest happiness and success — and so much more.
Rather than simply expecting or asking this of others…
…I have even higher expectations of myself to live by these things,
to lead with these things,
to help create a culture of kindness and caring that shows how these things are possible —
and that exemplifies the magic of what becomes available when we join together with shared values and vision and a desire to uplift one another and our clients and everyone we serve.
I want them to let us know when we can ever support and love them better — and to know what an incredible gift it is to get to have them on our team for however long we are so lucky to have them here.
It feels like an equally reciprocal relationship of giving and receiving, choosing and being chosen, teaching and learning with and from everyone.
In other words, there is no power over or power under — just power in being together.
“Leadership” I completely appreciate, as I believe we are all leaders in different ways in our lives — and that is it is incredibly valuable for leaders of all kinds to help uphold the values, vision, and direction of where a team, mission, or project is going.
However, I see leadership as coming with great responsibility — not that others simply have to us but that we have to them, to anyone who we are so privileged to get to share the journey alongside.
And I feel so, so, so grateful and honored to share it with these gorgeous and deeply special spirits.
And to be on this greater collective human team with all of youuuuuu!
(Also, I sooo celebrate and support whatever feels right to each person with these terms. The above is just what feels like home to my own heart. 
)
Sending all sorts of LOVE! xoxoxo
Abundant Love and Joy,
