Spring

©2006 Marine Spring

1

Vibrant Leadership

Passion, Possibility and Peak Performance:

Experiencing the Zone

Introduction: Experiencing the Zone

For the past fifty years, many books have been written about leadership. This concept

generates a lot of passion and interest: former CEOs biographies are often a success,

reality shows focusing on leadership like “the Apprentice” attracts many viewers. Despite

a high number of researches and a wide variety of perspectives on this topic, to my

knowledge it seems that one aspect is missing: the body and its energy field. Leadership

Guru Stephen R. Covey, in his last book1 includes the body as a dimension to take in

consideration in leadership development. However, not much is expressed about it.

I myself am convinced that the four dimensions taught at BBSH can help tremendously

leaders to achieve great results with joy and fulfillment.

I have twenty years of leadership experience; as an executive for nine years and as a

coach for fifteen years working in different parts of the world (USA, Canada, South

America, Europe, and Middle East) supporting leaders achieving breakthrough results.

I witnessed the extreme difficulty for leaders to connect and express their true self in a

business environment: the pressure of creating short term results often shut down

creativity and risk taking.

Passionate by many sports, (I have been involved and competed in sailing, golf and

cycling), and knowing that the body is a great teacher, I always liked to make the

connection between leadership and sport and know that leaders in corporation relates to

sport easily.

I found one link: “The Zone”. When athletes experience amazing results, they name it as

“Being in the zone”. Everything they accomplish is effortless; there is a sense of

synchronicity and a deeper awareness that a higher power is supporting them as well.

When athletes describe “being in the zone”, they describe being in Hara. There is a strong

emphasis on being able to be in the moment, stay present and detached from the

outcomes with a positive intentionality.

Dr. Michael Garza and Dr. Robert Neff are both sport psychologists; they wrote a book

about the zone:

“The zone has for years been described as a highly illusive state of being where

performance happens automatically, effortlessly, favorably, but also randomly.

Controlling the Zone is compared to controlling the weather- things seem to happen by

chance, even illogically.”2

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

1 Stephen R. Covey. The 8th Habit. Free Press. New York. 2004

2 Robert S. Neff, Ph.D. and Michael K. Garza, Ed.D. Roadmap to the Zone. Author House. Bloomington ,Indiana. 2004. XIX

Spring

©2006 Marine Spring

2

“What we know about athletes in the zones is that they are so wrapped up in the moment

that they are not consciously aware of consequences. …in the moment of performing

their skills, they do not “care” about what might or might not happen.”3

“When athletes of all sports are in the zone, they report feeling unbelievably confident

about their ability to perform well. Even after making mistakes, athletes feel as though

they can bounce back with a high level of performance.”4

We can support leaders in organization to experience the zone simply by practicing the

four dimensions: this will allow each leader to create breakthrough results in a unique

way.

“Vibrant Leadership” is about creating breakthrough results from the core. It is a holistic

approach to leadership where the body and its energy field becomes the conscious source

of any actions.

In this paper, I propose to look at the impact of each dimension (Auric, Haric and Core

Essence) in the business world. Then I will share some experiential done with leaders

who practiced the four dimensions.

This project is really close to my heart: as an executive, it was very difficult for me to

express my true essence. I was very successful yet unfulfilled: my power was coming

from will and from the fear of failure.

Today offering the concept of “Vibrant Leadership” is an opportunity for me to express

my true nature in a world of pressure toward result. This is a key step for me knowing

that it is still tempting and easy to shut down and be results driven in a mechanical way.

I know that no matter what the outcomes are, this path is rich and worthwhile to take.

1. Impact of the Auric Field in Business

The auric field carries our personalitie5 therefore our leadership expression.

Open chakras, that are part of the auric field, support leaders to sustain a high level of

energy, stay connected to their environment, and listen. “Since chakras are not only

metabolizers of energy, but also devices that sense energy, they serve to tell us about the

world around us.”6

We can define the psychological, physical and business impact of each chakra.

Through process work and various exercises we can support each person strengthening her/his auric field.

__________________________________________________________

3 Robert S. Neff, Ph.D. and Michael K. Garza, Ed.D. Roadmap to the Zone. Author House. Bloomington,

Indiana. 2004. 36

4 Robert S. Neff, Ph.D. and Michael K. Garza, Ed.D. Roadmap to the Zone. Author House. Bloomington,

Indiana. 2004. 33

5 Barbara Ann Brennan. Light Emerging. Bantam New Age Book. New York.1993.13 “This dimension

(auric) also carries the energies of our personalities”.

6 Barbara Ann Brennan. Hands of Light. Bantam New Age Book. New York. 1988.71

Spring

©2006 Marine Spring

3

2. Impact of Hara in business

The haric dimension is beneath the auric field and has to do with our intentionality.

As leaders, intentions play a major role in creating what we want. Very often our

intentionality is mixed with positive and negative energy and prevents us to achieve what

we want.

1. The ID point is our first individuation.

When connected with the I.D. point, leaders have a sense of who they are; there is no on

going questioning about it. This helps them to make choices and clarify their purpose.

When the I.D. point is shut down

Lack of connection with the ID point will create confusion in business, too many

questions and a lack of direction.

2. The Soul Seat:

“It corresponds to our emotion. Here we carry our spiritual longing, the sacred longing

that leads us through life. It brings the passion we have to accomplish great things in our

life.” 17 This is so important for leaders to be connected to this center. Charismatic

leaders have a clear vision of what they want to share; they have the passion to

accomplish their dreams.

When the S.S. is shut down

Leaders that are not connected to their soul seat may have no feeling for what they want

to do in their lives and if they reach to a leadership position they will be good soldiers not

developers.

3. The Tan Tien

The tan Tien is a will center: the will to express who we are and to accomplish our life

task.

Leaders with a strong Tan Tien are in synchronicity: they feel there are at the right place

to accomplish their purpose. Hard work is fun for them, they just love what they do; they

feel complete.

A weak Tan Tien will block leader’s energy and create inconsistency in their

commitment which will impact team morale and focus.

Hara impacts the world of our intention. It will appear though different forms in business:

- Communication.

- Results

- Team Work

______________________________________________________

17 Barbara Ann Brennan. Light Emerging. Ed. Bantam Book.NY.1993. 29

Spring

©2006 Marine Spring

4

3. Impact of Core Essence in Business

This is the source of our creative energy and the most essential nature of our being.

Leaders who connect to their core essence radiate; there is a level of fulfillment and

happiness. There is also an ability to create, develop, and generate unique ways to

achieve results.

When leaders don’t experience their core essence, there is constant frustration;

unhappiness and this affect the spirit of a team or a business.

4. To Summarize

This project is still in a development phase; however I am convinced based on the first

two workshops that leaders who have experienced on a regular basis the four Dimensions

are able to:

- Focus on what is important

- Make a distinction between urgent and important

- Make decisions from the brilliance of their body

- Set boundaries with better ease

- Create a better balance

- Develop their emotional intelligence

- Develop their spiritual intelligence

- Shift from pressure motivation to passion motivation

- Develop compassionate ambition

- Perform better with ease and pleasure

Spring

©2006 Marine Spring

5

Bibliography

? Adele B Lynn. The Emotional Intelligence Activity Book. Amacom

? Barbara Ann Brennan. Hands of Light. Bantam New Age Book. New York. 1988

? Barbara Ann Brennan. Light Emerging. Bantam New Age Book. New York.1993

? Daniel Goleman.Working with Emotional Intelligence. Bantam Book. 1998. Paperback

2000

? LarryWilson. Hersch Wilson .Play to Win! Bard Press. Austin Texas. 199 Robert S.

Neff, Ph.D. and Michael K. Garza, Ed.D. Roadmap to the Zone. Author House.

Bloomington, Indiana. 2004. 36

? Susan Steinbrecher and Joel B. Bennett, Ph.D. Heart-Centered Leadership. Black Pants

Publishing. Memphis, TN. Second edition, revised 2004

? Stephen R. Covey. The 8th Habit. Free Press. New York. 2004

? Steve Morris. Glorious Leadership! A holistic Approach to Achieving Leadership

Mastery and Worklife Balance .Lotus Blossom. Singapore. 2002

? Wendy Palmer. The Practice of Freedom. Rodmell Press, Berkeley, California 2002

and successful leaders worldwide. She has been studying the Human Energy Field for the past six

Your Body Is a Coach for Life

 

Our body is brilliant: each cell thinks, feels and acts. If we chose to listen to it, we can lower our stress level, set up clear boundaries and make decisions in alignment with who we are and what we want to accomplish.

 

We can be our own coach by connecting fully to our own body to receiving the wisdom and knowledge it holds.

 

Four simple steps for everyday life

 

1-      Choose to pay attention to your breathing at least 5 minutes a day. Remember we breathe 22 000 times a day; we have 22 000 opportunities to get inspired every day. Focusing on our breathing pattern can give us a lot of information about how we handle life and business in general. Is the rhythm fast or slow? Are the breaths longs or shorts? How much am I taking in versus taking out?

      It is also a great opportunity for your client to center, relax and be present.

 

2-      Develop your Navel Point.

      The Navel Point is located 2 fingers or so below your Navel. It is the center of your body. A 

       strong vibrant Navel Point will support healthy boundaries, your connection with mother

       Earth and the expression of your own power.

      Many breaths and exercises can be done to develop this enegetic center. Doing Belly

      breathing (inhale: expand from your belly; exhale: tuck your belly in) will strenghten your

      Navel Point.

 

3-      Listen and be curious to how you treat your body and see the parallels you can make with the way you treat other things in life. Any lasting successes start from a source of self acceptance and self love. Even if this concept is not developed in business, strong leaders have a great positive ego with a knowing and acceptance of their limitations. The more you can be in touch with your whole body without rejecting any parts of it, the more you will create breakthroughs.

 

4-      When wondering about a decision, ask the following questions: How do I feel? Where is the stress located in my body? Could I describe it?

      It is a simple way to find the solution within and shift gear:; too often in a    stressful situation

      we tend to over analyze things and get stuck in our thought process.

 

The body is a great template for coaching; take advantage of it for developing your life force in every action you want to accomplish.

 

Marine Spring

MA, MBA, PCC, Brennan Healing Practitioner

marine@dropoflight.net