ONE:
The Art and Practice of
Conscious Leadership
by Lance H. K. Secretan
ONE is about the journey we have traveled from oneness to separateness-from a life-view on a conscious awareness that we are part of one story, one planet and one cosmic system, to our current belief that everything and all of us are separate.
This is a book for all of us, because we all lead others-from our first breath. More than at any time in our history, we are in need of inspired and inspiring leadership. And this new vision of life and leadership can be ours when we return to oneness.
In Part 1, "Myth, Mystery and Magic", Dr. Secretan presents an incisive history of our journey, describing how we came to think in compartmentalized ways-duality-and how we can think as one again and for so many of us, find new meaning in work and leadership.
Secretan describes the reality of oneness by pointing out that whenever we suffer pain or sadness, it is because we have separated ourselves from what or whom we love and whenever we experience love and joy, it is because we are one with what or whom we love. All our human trials can be explained and resolved through this awareness.
“What’s interesting about our journey to becoming a Higher Ground Leadership® organization is how we’re now able to explore difficult issues more effectively and truthfully. As an example, one of our hospitals was facing serious and consistent customer service challenges as measured by a national research organization. Because we spoke with them in terms of the CASTLE® Principles, our common language, they have set their sights on getting better. Prior to our Higher Ground Leadership® journey, this would have been a much more difficult, defensive conversation. The CASTLE® Principles have given us permission to put away our defensiveness and work together to be the most effective health care organization we can be. Whether it’s a hospital’s associates embracing their customer satisfaction challenges, committing to excel in customer service, and turning things around; or one associate authentically expressing her appreciation for another, this journey is changing our organization one person at a time.” Joseph Swedish, former CEO of Centura Health, currently CEO of Trinity Health.
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Secretan uses many inspiring examples to advance his theory that there are always causes and effects-there are never actions without consequences-anywhere-because we are one. If I throw my pop can out of my car window, I may think that this is no longer part of my world because I have moved on-but I would be wrong. If millions of others do the same, rivers will become polluted and my drinking water will be at risk. If we bull-doze suppliers to provide more services and higher quality at lower prices and, by doing so, eventually drive them out of business, we will both lose because suppliers and customers are one. If I cheat or steal from my employees, customers or suppliers, I may think that I can get away with it, but this is a misconception as we have learned from the examples of countless industries and leaders.If we have a rancorous exchange with our spouse, it isn’t just the other party who is hurt-we are both hurt because our relationship-our oneness-is strained, and this damages our marriage, and therefore, both of us. When we inspire a child to do something extraordinary, we change the world. We are one.
Becoming aware of the need to think, feel and act with oneness-in other words, consciously-is the easy part. Part 2, "The CASTLE Principles®" explains how to accomplish it. CASTLE® is an acronym formed of the first letters of six concepts-Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love and Effectiveness. Like all fundamental concepts, these are simple ideas-well known to us all. The new part is living them more than talking about them.
The CASTLE Principles® have a unique history: Secretan did not discover them-they discovered him. In his consulting work and during corporate retreats, Secretan asked participants to describe the characteristics of ineffective relationships-whether at home or at work, in politics, religion, academia, relationships, and among families and friends. This research showed that people were typically turned off by others who were not courageous, authentic, serving, truthful, loving or effective. It made no difference whether they were a CEO, a stay-at-home Mom or an athlete. It was a small intellectual leap to conclude that living fully in the opposite of these limiting behaviors might reveal conscious leadership-and so the CASTLE® Principles were born.
Many stories are told in ONE-stories of clients using the CASTLE® Principles to transform organizations (see box).
When fully lived, these principles are profoundly transformative and inspiring to self and others. What is heartening is that there is nothing new to learn here-no great theory, breakthrough or equation. These are concepts that are within us already, that at some stage in our lives have been fully lived at least once, but, for many, have been lost, and now, we yearn to reclaim them. The approach taken in this book is simple: recall when you were at your personal best and live at this peak again. It is through living the CASTLE® Principles that we inspire others and therefore make the world more inspiring and whole-the return to oneness for which we all yearn. This is how greatness is achieved.
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THE ART AND PRACTICE OF CONCIOUS LEADERSHIP
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Books
- The Spark, the Flame, and the Torch
- ONE The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership
- !nspire! What Great Leaders Do
- Spirit@Work Cards
- Inspirational Leadership
- Reclaiming Higher Ground
- Living the Moment
- The Way of the Tiger
- Imagine What America Could be in the 21st Century
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