“Wanderer there is no path, the path is made by walking.” Antonio Machado

Whenever I prepare to work with a client, the first question that I ask myself is:

What do I want to leave in their head, heart, and hands?

This question feels so holistic and deeply respectful. It helps me to remember that each of us is thirsty for knowledge, connection, and a deep desire to take action that makes a difference. All three elements are interconnected and, I believe, that real and lasting change can only happen when we acknowledge and speak to their presence.

Lately I’ve been thinking, is there any question that is more important for us to be asking as social innovators?

In the world of social change, there is no defined path to walk. That is perhaps the greatest challenge and the greatest joy of the work that we do. But I have to admit, some days I wish someone would hand me a map and say, “Go this way.”

Asking myself the head, heart, hands question helps me to refocus. It gives me a chance to slow down my thought process, to take my ego out of the equation, and consider how I can best serve the world. So while I will never be handed a map, this question acts as a compass to guide me solidly and confidently forward. It is a question that allows me to consider more than the impact I want to make. Instead, it allows me to deepen my awareness about what I know, who I am, and how I act in a way that leads to positive change.

As you set out to accomplish the goals that you have no doubt set for 2013, I offer up this question as a way for you to orient yourself and navigate the months ahead. Your biggest contribution will come when you take into account (and truly value) all that you have to offer. Your role as a social innovator is to balance head, heart, and hands in a way that only you can.

Too often we get caught up in what we are “supposed” to be doing. We listen to the conversation that tells us that social innovators are only effective in so long as they are creating disruptive, scalable change. What if we put that idea away for a moment and allowed ourselves to be guided by our head, heart, and hands? That’s where true innovation happens.

So, I’ll leave you with some food for thought and I would love to hear your responses in the comments below.

On Social Innovation + The Head: What knowledge or experience do you have that your community has been waiting for you to share?

On Social Innovation + The Heart: How do you want to “show up” to inspire and motivate your community into action?

On Social Innovation + The Hands: Where do you feel the tug of creativity and collaboration pulling you to bring something new into being?

And finally, how might answering these questions shift your approach to setting and achieving your 2013 goals? I hope your year is off to a bright and amazing start.

I have always loved that my birthday coincides with the change of a season – especially this one. The world is slowing down. We are busy reaping the harvest – literally and figuratively – of all that we invested in the growth of spring and summer. And as we prepare for the dreaminess of winter, we finally turn inward.

Nature has a way of doing this naturally, rhythmically, and without judgment. There isn’t a rush to let go. And there isn’t a panic to usher in the next season. Leaf by leaf. Degree by degree. Sunset by sunset. Change just happens.

It’s only been in the last few years that I have realized the immense power of letting go. So much of my life has been about addition…of experiences, of knowledge, of credentials, of relationships. In many ways, I have tried to keep myself in eternal growth. And while all of that addition has certainly expanded the richness of who I am, it has taken a season of shedding – sometimes forced, sometimes chosen – to understand that dormancy can be the biggest catalyst for renewal.

Growing up, I always saw my birthday as a one-day pass to dream impossible dreams, ask for whatever I wanted (hello, cake for breakfast?), and act a little bit out of the ordinary. It was a day when I didn’t need to ask for permission for anything. I could let go of who I thought I needed to be and give myself the freedom to just be who I was.

What have you been dying to let go of?

• Is it someone else’s definition of success?
• Is it approval from the people you love?
• Is it a place you don’t want to be anymore?
• Is it work that doesn’t satiate you?
• Is it a thought that stops you in your tracks?
• Is it a relationship that holds you back?

If you’re waiting for permission, you don’t need it from anyone but you.

Take a few steps back and put on a wider lens.

Distance has a way of making the Earth look smoother. It has a way of normalizing our big dips and making our peaks seem less erratic. From space the change of seasons is almost unperceivable. Change is merely a swirl of clouds.

As I celebrate my 32nd birthday today, I am so grateful for all of the moments that got me to this place. But when I take a step back and look at my life, those moments are not me. All that I can be is who I am today and what I can offer right now. And so as I take one more trip around the sun, I have to make room for that person. She deserves the same airtime that I gave the me of last year or five years ago or ten years ago.

So how do you let go?

I was reading a journal entry that I wrote three years ago on my birthday. Here’s what I said to myself:

Maybe all that you have is this moment in time. Life is messy and unclear. I know that where you are isn’t what you imagined or dreamed for yourself, but in some way that is not clear to you yet you are moving towards an unimaginable, unexpected, delightful future. 

At the moment that I wrote it, it felt like the world as I knew it was crumbling around me. Yet, I had such conviction about what was possible for me. Deep inside of me I knew that as painful, scary, uncomfortable the change was…I had to let go.

The fear was there. It had always been there. It will always be there.

That’s how you know it’s worth it. And you let go day by day.

I want to offer another alternative: don’t quit your day job {at least not yet}.

Many of my clients are surprised to learn that I still have a 9-to-5 job. Say what? I’m quiet about it. And, at first, I struggled with how to share it. How could I actually talk about social enterprise and not be a full-blown entrepreneur? I’ve often joked that the fastest way to success is to quit your job, launch a Kickstarter campaign, move to Africa, educate children, and make a t-shirt to commemorate the experience. That’s the story of success that we are told. What we don’t see behind the success is the pile of struggles, hard work, and – perhaps – years of couch-surfing it took to get there.

For me, my job has been an amazingly supportive resource as I move towards entrepreneurship. And, on the flip side, becoming an entrepreneur has strengthened me as a leader within my current organization. While some people fall into roles as social entrepreneurs, I made a decision to create a business that created impact. And I made that decision while I was going through a divorce, having my career take off at work, moving, and handling some serious health issues. So while quitting my job probably would have made sense with all of the other change that was going on in my life, I knew that I wasn’t ready and the stability it brought was actually welcomed.

As I enter year two of my business, there are four lessons I am taking with me about becoming an entrepreneur and keeping the day job:

• Use your job to build the skills you want to use in your business. I have been facilitating conversations about change since I was a teenager. First, it was democracy in the Middle East. Later it was conservation in developing countries. Now it’s on Gen Y social change leadership. But I didn’t recognize that facilitation was a skill that I could develop until I was in my mid-20s. And once I did, I started negotiating for training with anyone who would listen – my boss, the Director who wanted to put together a strategic plan, the executive leadership team. I volunteered for every project that would allow me to practice my new learning and suddenly became an indispensable asset. Which meant? Yup, more training for me and not just in facilitation. I owe my coaching certification to my current employer. Continuing to step up eventually landed me a one-year assignment managing a complex national organizational change process. I have essentially been prepped for the next phase of my career by being smart about how I am using my days – not just seeing limits to possibility or begrudging the fact that I’m not doing 100 percent everything that I want to. Use your job as your training ground. Ask yourself, “How can I get what I need from where I am right now?” 

• Take risks while you have the financial capacity to fail. One of the biggest rewards of keeping that day job while you build your business is a steady paycheck. Over the last year, I have shifted my focus, my services and – sometimes – even who I was serving at least three times. I have been able to price my one-on-one services at a rate that allows me to test the assumptions I have about issues facing Gen Y women in social impact careers. If I were dependent on my business to pay my bills, the shifts and pricing would feel like major risks. Instead, they’re just good market research. What risk can you take now that you couldn’t afford without guaranteed income?

• Take a year to build your network before you say “sayonara” to the man. I’ve change industries three times over the course of my career – moving from the private sector to non-profit to public service. Along the way I’ve built relationships with leaders, movers and shakers in the social change space. But, honestly, my Rolodex {do we have those anymore?} was a little dusty when I decided to launch my own enterprise. Not to mention that the people that I worked with ten years ago knew me in a totally different capacity then the work that I am doing now. I have had to ask myself two questions: 1) who do I need to reengage from my past lives that can give me insight, mentorship and connections? And 2) who doesn’t know me yet that I want to connect with? Building your business is about building bridges from where you are to where you want to be. I had to get over the fear of asking for help from “people who knew me when.” I had to commit myself to reigniting old and igniting new relationships with the realization that we are all in this together. But this doesn’t happen quickly. And the sooner that you let people know what you are doing; the better you can find mutual opportunities to support one another. A year isn’t too soon. Your job gives you the gift of time. Take advantage of it. Who needs to know about your entrepreneurial dreams? What kind of support {think: emotional, intellectual, financial} do you want from them? What are you willing to give in return?     

• Develop your pitch and pitch often. If there is one thing that I’ve learned personally and from my clients over the past year it’s that elevator speeches, pitches, and the “So, what do you do?” question strikes fear into the heart of would-be social entrepreneurs. Let me alleviate some anxiety: you don’t know yet. You’re not supposed to. Gen Y has the blessing and the curse of wanting to take it all on, right now. Not to mention, most Gen Y-ers are right in the middle of discovering who we are as adults. Your day job gives you the freedom to explore. You don’t have to find the exact right words and finesse just yet. I believe to my core that the entrepreneurial journey is about uncovering who you are and what you stand for. But just because you have a current job title, doesn’t mean you should stop trying to define a new one. I have precisely four pitches that I’m working with right now. And depending on the day, I’ll use any one of them. A few weekends ago I was getting ready for a photo shoot and “pitched” four different ways to people who were completely outside of social change space – a hairdresser, a make-up artist, a photographer, and the after-party bartender. I was trying them on to see what felt best for me and what made sense to this motley crew. Write a few pitches of your own by answering these questions: What do you do? Who do you do it for? And what is the impact? Practice them everywhere. Fake it ’til you make it.      

How will you know when it’s time to quit the day job?

That’s a question that I can’t answer for you, but it’s one that you should be asking yourself. Actually, this is a question that we all should know the answer to about the work that we are currently doing. When is it time to move on to the next thing? Perhaps your answer is a certain dollar amount in the bank. Or a proven business model. Or acceptance into an accelerator. Or the pain of staying where you are just isn’t worth it anymore and it truly is time to jump.

For me, the trick is not to hang on too long, but not give up too early.

I can’t take it anymore. 

If I have to listen to one more “social entrepreneur” pitch their idea and try to convince me it’s innovative because, “for every overpriced (but organic cotton!) onesie we make, we give a onesie to a baby in need. We’re different because we focus on American babies below the poverty line.”

I’m not even kidding. I watched this train wreck of a pitch. (For those of you who are totally distracted by what a onesie is: here.)

Interestingly, I looked around the room and saw heads nodding and hearts being tugged. After all, we’re talking about babies. Who doesn’t want to help them? How evil and cynical did I feel for thinking to myself, “Is this as good as it gets?” I’m as in love with Blake Mycoskie as the next hot-blooded, do-gooding woman. But let’s face it, TOMS charismatic founder has turned one-for-one into a panacea…

Rain boots for children in cold and wet climates – because people with dry feet go to school.

Toothbrushes for children who don’t own them – because smiles build confidence.

Buy a blanket to warm your heart and your neighbor.

Seriously? We can do better.

Let’s talk about what’s good about one-for-one:

• It’s simple. You don’t have to do a lot of math. For every X you sell, Y happens.

• Your customers (or clients) get that warm fuzzy feeling. They know that their purchase has a tangible result – and often are seeing it, holding it in their hands.

• Your philanthropy efforts are highly visible. You can use your giving strategy as a way to brand and market what you’re selling.

• You provide financial support to a cause you believe in. You might even get your hands dirty and do the work of giving yourself.

These are all great things – for you and your business. But what are you really changing? How are you impacting the root level causes of the problem you want to solve? And are you looking for a quick shot of feel-good adrenaline or do you want to make a long-term impact? Too many of the one-for-one models that I see aren’t even considering these questions.

I’m definitely not the first one to point these problems out. I’ll spare you from my development economics lesson and let you read some great thought pieces on the flaws with the one-for-one model here and here.

So, if this isn’t a new topic, why am I on a somewhat uncharacteristic rant on this Thursday morning?

Because central to the debate of “doing good” through our work, I think there is something that no one is talking about:

We all want to make a difference and we’re afraid that we aren’t enough. 

When you strip away the marketing gimmicks and cultural phenomena that surround the one-for-one model, we are left with the pulsing idea that we can be more, we can give more. And giving is expansive. It allows us to become part of something so much bigger than ourselves. It is the purest way of aligning our inner desire for connection, truth and justice with our outer action. Suddenly, instead of worrying whether we are enough, we find ourselves completely in sync with the world around us.

Some might call it finding your purpose.

Seven years ago I walked away from working on the frontlines of social and environmental issues. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, nor did I expect it to be permanent. I always thought that my role was to be the implementer, the on-the-ground change maker. As I transitioned from being at the center of action to playing more of a support role, I struggled with this same idea, “It’s not enough. I’m not enough.”

I had this idea in my head of “how you make a difference” and my own judgment of myself was that what I was doing wasn’t it. Meanwhile, I was gathering an incredible skill set and gaining invaluable experience that has led me to where I am today. It largely went unnoticed. I was too busy looking all around me for models, trying to one-up myself with stories of people who were doing it better than me.

That’s the thing about best practices, proven business models, and replicable strategies. They were designed to solve someone else’s problem and fulfill someone else’s dream. And they don’t leave a lot of room for asking the question, “How do I do it better?” Or, shocker, “How do I want to do it?”

Some of us were born into the world knowing the impact we want to make.

Some of us are still finding our way. Some of us thought we knew and are in the midst of redefining what that looks like. So while I may be completely annoyed with the prevalence of the one-for-one model, that’s not what this message is about. I am more interested in hearing a new story of giving, impact and change – and it’s one that only you can tell.

Be you. You are enough.  

“What if it’s not over?” 

That same question has been on my mind a lot lately. Yesterday was the end of summer here in the United States. As I look forward to a new season, I can’t help but look back at the last few months and realize that I weathered a pretty big storm. There were few parts of my life that weren’t touched, but here are just a few highlights:

• My peaceful sabbatical on the Gulf Coast came to a screeching halt. As fast as I could say “West Coast”, I was on a plane with my French Bulldog in tow en route to see my brother in Seattle. I was unsure of where I was going or where I would land, but I was so glad to see him waiting for me on the other end.

• Some of my closest relationships ended. Some existing relationships deepened. And some beautiful new relationships began. (You know who you are and I am so deeply grateful for you.)

• I got sick – not once, but three times, taking my fast-paced, fast-moving energy down to zero. I had to ask for help. I had to give myself permission to rest. I had to do just enough to get by. Ugh.

• I landed a speaking gig. I was published in Forbes. I received an invitation to moderate a conference that brings together some of the foremost thought leaders on poverty alleviation. Each one was a great success, but I couldn’t help but hear that nagging voice in the back of my head asking me, “Who do you think you are?” 

As the storm subsided, I knew it was time to answer that question. It’s an answer that has come day-by-day through slow navigation, not in some rapid-fire declaration.

I found myself.

I found myself back in Atlanta, drawn to a vibrant entrepreneurial community that is emerging and needs support. After seven months of being away, I can honestly say that this is where I want to be right now.

I found myself settling into a home in the heart of the city, where I can be in the midst of human connection in one flight of stairs or get lost in an 11-acre park that is footsteps from my door.

I found myself riding Harleys, dancing until two in the morning, and returning to my yoga practice. Vroom, vroom. Yeah, yeah. Om shanti, om.     

I found myself allowing my work to be more broadly defined. I am a speaker, a writer, a public servant, a coach, a facilitator, and an entrepreneur. I am so proud of every single title I wear, but it’s not the title that matters. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters to me is whether I made a difference. That’s how I am measuring my impact.

These last few months have been about discovery. As I settled into a rhythm and gathered my feet under me, I knew that I would have to – eventually – emerge from my hiding place. The quiet after the storm has been so nourishing and restorative, but my best work is done with you and for you.

So, what if the storm isn’t over?

I had several conversations this summer – in the midst of gale force wind and pouring rain – during which I emphatically pronounced to the person on the other side of the table, “Once I get through (insert monumental change in my life), then I’ll really be ready to (insert powerful goal that I’ve been chewing on for months).” I have so much grace for the change I was experiencing just a few months ago, and yet I can’t help but laugh at myself. Once I, then I? Really, Laura?

That’s the funny thing about change: it never really ends.

It does clear a way for newness and growth – even if it looks like it’s left destruction in its wake. I know that the impact that I want to make in this world can’t be done from the safety of my home, however cozy it may be. I have to be willing to emerge and see what can be built from where I am right now.

That’s where we are all at, really. We only know what we know and have what we have in this moment. Whether or not the storm is over, our biggest challenge as leaders, change agents, and entrepreneurs is to cop to where we are and commit to become more of who we want to be.

So here’s to the calm before the storm, the torrents that ensue, the quiet that allows you to re-center, and your gorgeous emergence. 

The Magician Leader is an alchemist of viewpoints and a transformer of possibilities. They create change by seeing what no else dares to see. 

You are a natural observer of life. You are drawn to understand how the world works and fits together. You like to go deep, but also have the ability to stand back and see the big picture. You are alert to what is going on around you – in the physical world and in social situations. As a result, you see what others can’t see or are too busy to see. Your intuition is spot on. Your wisdom is of the ages.

Your essential strength as a Magician Leader

The Magician Leader’s essential strength is their keen perception and ability to sense the multiple dimensions of any situation. Here’s how they express their strength: 

• You are cool, calm and collected. One of your super powers is being able to stand outside of a situation and witness whatever is going on with objectivity. This ability to distance yourself allows you to see the dynamics of a situation, anticipate outcomes and be in a position to make sense out of it. You see people’s strengths and weaknesses. You see the humor in tense situations. You even take the time to watch the sunset in the midst of a chaotic day.

• You see all the possibilities. You easily navigate between different points of view. You appreciate that there are multiple ways to arrive at a solution. Your love of analysis allows you to dive deep to find creative approaches to work and life. Major decisions don’t scare you. You see them as opportunities to illuminate the many choices you have and find the one best suited to you.

• You are committed to truth and integrity. You hold yourself to a high standard of integrity and expect others to do the same. Your inquiring nature allows you to easily detect deception. You have no problem questioning authority when you sense hypocrisy or dishonesty. You hold people accountable and, as a result, are able to motivate yourself and others to finish difficult tasks.

Your essential challenge as a Magician Leader

The Magician Leader’s essential challenge is allowing themselves to be a part of the world around them. They are smart and infinitely capable, but unless they participate in life their gifts will go unnoticed. Here’s what this challenge looks like:

• You can withdraw too much. You are known for putting aside your personal biases and detaching yourself from the emotion of a situation to see what is truly going on. But what starts out as a mental refuge can turn into a prison. While you may never be an extrovert, feeling your emotions {and taking action on them} doesn’t mean you are hotheaded or irrational. On the contrary, people want to hear from you, not just your wicked powers of observation.

• You can get easily overwhelmed. You love knowledge. You see all sides of a story. You love the thrill of discovering all of your options and pathways. But when it comes time to make a decision, you can get easily overwhelmed. You don’t want to be boxed in or narrow your choices too quickly. Instead, you spend your time drowning in information. When you learn to see decisions as opportunities too, the overwhelm will dissipate.

• You can be suspicious of others. You are ever vigilant to what is going on around you. You don’t want to be caught off guard. But this vigilance can turn to suspicion without notice. When someone tries to support you, you think, “What does she want?” Or you may have suspicions about anything that is too big and powerful, like “big business” or “big government.” Deep down you’re afraid something might happen to you. Your challenge is tackle the fear by understanding it better.

How to use this leadership style to create impact

The Magician’s power is in the ability to guide others towards change by offering new and profound perspective. How might a Magician show up as a leader? In these ways:

• Magician as an explorer. Life is a giant experiment to you. The world is a place to be discovered. There is nothing that gives you greater pleasure than to unlock a secret and share it with others. Your secrets might be the realm of ideas {e.g. a new approach to an old problem} or in the realm of the physical world {e.g. a new way of understanding a people or place}. When you need to break free of entrenched approaches, embrace the eternal curiosity of the Magician.

• Magician as a negotiator. You have a way with words. You are so tuned in to the subtleties of conversation and emotion that you can anticipate how just a slight inflection in voice might yield a better outcome – for everyone. You are intensely aware of individual desires and can see multiple pathways to a win-win outcome. And you do this all in a split second. Magician energy guides people to better solutions. When you need to negotiate on behalf of yourself and your cause, rely on the diplomatic nature of the Magician.

• Magician as an architect. You build houses of possibility. When others say, “It can’t be done,” you are busy designing multiple blueprints. If you don’t have the immediate answer you will search, find the resources, consult the experts and learn your way forward. You believe that the wisdom is there waiting to be unearthed and constructed into something magnificent. When you need to deconstruct a problem and see things from new angles, draw on the Magician energy and relentless spirit to find the best answer.

At their best, Magician Leaders are able to hold multiple perspectives at once and find the insightful gem that will spark a revolution.

They can unstick a group with a single idea. They can infuse excitement into a room just by sharing what they see. They are deeply thoughtful about the ecology of a situation. And they are adept at helping teams, cultures, societies move closer to the “truth.” Bring more of the Magician energy into your life by slowing down enough to ask the question, “How might I look at this situation differently?”

Is there a place in your work where you are lacking the momentum to move forward? If you explained it to a child, what might s/he tell you to do?

The Warrior Leader is an undeniable force of nature who creates impact by getting things done (and done well).

You are down-to-earth, solid, and pragmatic. You have the courage and strength to expand your influence and reach. You do this by setting goals and knowing what it takes to accomplish them. Once you have set a goal, you go after it with a great degree of commitment and integrity. These same qualities are present in your relationships. You tend to have a close inner circle of friends to whom you are extremely loyal. You set clear boundaries within yourself and in the outer world so that you can easily navigate your course.

Your essential strength as a Warrior Leader

The Warrior Leader’s essential strength is the courage to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done – at the exact right time. They are action-oriented and enjoy the challenge of getting the job done. Here’s how they express their strength:

• You are fiercely independent. You know who you are, what you want and how to get it. You are driven and accomplished. As a result, people take notice of you and your work. Your independence helps you to stay focused on your mission without being distracted by people or priorities that are not directly related to the work at hand.

• You are upfront and direct. You say what you think. You stand up for what you believe in. You are committed to the truth and this makes you honest and trustworthy. You communicate in concrete ways and don’t get flustered if that communication turns into conflict.

• You make decisions quickly. You are driven by a strong sense of purpose. You place a high value around productivity. You have strong filters that allow you to assess the world quickly and make quick decisions. Once you commit or give your word, you keep it. In this way, you are utterly reliable and can be counted on for follow-through.

Your essential challenge as a Warrior Leader

The Warrior Leader’s essential challenge is to open themselves up to new ways of working and interacting with others. All too often, the strong boundaries they create can become insurmountable walls. Here’s what this challenge looks like:

• It can be hard for you to trust others. You put task first and relationship second. You’re not the type to start Monday morning gabbing with co-workers about what happened over the weekend. That seems frivolous to you. While others see it as an important piece of building relationship, you see it as a time waster. It’s no surprise then that it’s difficult for you to believe that others wouldn’t gossip about you behind your back or waste precious time when there’s work to be done. You don’t let people in or let tasks go very easily. But here’s a question for you, what if building relationship was a way to get things done more efficiently and effectively?

• You can see the world in black and white. You have a strong sense or right and wrong. You appreciate a good competition. These qualities usually help you to accomplish great things. However, seeing the world in black and white terms can cause you to miss out on different perspectives. You risk spending all your time fighting for others to see the world your way {which distracts you from accomplishing your work}. Since one of your greatest commitments is to personal growth, challenge yourself to practice the art of listening without rebuttal.

• You can be a perfectionist. You like to be in control and know the rules of the game. You like structure to guide you. This helps you to make sense of the world around you and move quickly through it. It becomes problematic when you become so afraid of making a mistake that you don’t get anything done. Or, on the flip side, when you begin to micro-manage so that no one around you makes a mistake. Your perfectionist tendencies can take a toll on your health and well-being. Learn to find an outlet for your stress, whether it’s a physical activity or initiating a practice of stillness in your life.

How to use this leadership style to create impact

The Warrior exists to serve. She bravely steps up whenever she is asked to. And she is relentless in carrying out her mission. So how can we use the Warrior to create impact in the world?  Here’s how:

• Warrior as an activist. You can’t help but see injustice in this world. And you’ll be damned if you sit by and watch when you know there is something that you can do to correct it. You will march fearlessly, tirelessly, and with great intention to right a wrong. When the stakes are high, the Warrior enters with a calm hand and a steady voice. This energy is invaluable at bringing focus and attention to the work that needs to be done in order to get the results we want.

• Warrior as a trendsetter. Your independence and thirst for competition gives you the strength to venture into the unknown. You were the first among your peers to buy a hybrid vehicle. You went vegan before it was the hip thing to do. You learned Arabic, not French in high school because you knew how in-demand those language skills would be. The desire to win or be first is powerful Warrior energy that shouldn’t be ignored. It provides a shot of adrenaline that will kick you into gear and enable you to achieve the unthinkable.

• Warrior as a missionary. Missions aren’t just for religious or charitable work. You see life as a mission. Whatever your cause, you have a strong sense of duty and a desire to be of service. You stand up and take initiative whenever it is called for. Plug in to this Warrior energy whenever you find yourself running up against obstacles on the path to your goal. The Warrior’s mantra is “act now” and “push through the confusion.”

At their best, Warrior Leaders are champions that are driven to deliver results because they believe that they can make a difference.

They see what needs to be done and do it. They are undaunted by a good challenge. They are leaders you want on your side in times of uncertainty or chaos. The best way to cultivate Warrior leadership is to learn to establish healthy boundaries that support your growth and success.

The Lover Leader ignites change by expressing their deep understanding and meaning of the world. 

You are highly creative and intuitive. You have an openness and vulnerability that allows you to connect with others easily. You know how to relate – to your body, to other people, to other cultures, and even with a higher power. You are the artists of society and you use your gifts to help others see the world in new ways. You may find yourself in “flow” when you are in motion – writing, traveling, athletics, dance or practicing a healing art. There is a mystery to how you express yourself and understand the world that resonates with those around you.

Your essential strength as a Lover Leader 

The Lover Leader’s essential strength is being able to experience life from another person’s point of view. They are adept connectors and sensitive to patterns of relationship. Here’s how they express their strength: 

• You lead with abandon. You allow yourself to experience all that life has to offer. You live in the present and are open to discovery. It isn’t a surprise that you are a trailblazer who often forges new pathways {that others then follow you down}. While you may not set out to “lead,” your unique approach to life often puts you in the leadership position.

• You possess great empathy. You see and accept the reality of circumstances. You have a heightened ability to perceive a situation and understand it’s meaning.By doing this you gain a great deal of understanding about “the other” – whether it is an individual, a community or a nation. This level of empathy makes you a natural advocate for those in suffering or need.

• You aren’t afraid to rely on others. You understand that you can accomplish things with the support of other people that you wouldn’t be able to accomplish alone. So, even as you trail blaze, you build supportive, intimate relationships with those around you. You invite people to work with you in an open, playful manner and are often the natural collaborator in a group.

Your essential challenge as a Lover Leader

The Lover Leader’s essential challenge is that they can get too involved in their emotions and relationships. They can define their personal value by the intensity of their emotional expression and the quality of their relationships. Here’s what this challenge looks like:

• Your impulsiveness can isolate you. You are intense and act impulsively. You might even describe yourself as a personal growth junkie. You strive to be different and seek adventure at every turn. And, yet, the more you rebel the more you risk isolating yourself from others {which runs counter to your desire to be connected with people}. You can be alive, dynamic, interesting and still belong to a community.

• You can create an “us” versus “them” mentality. You easily identify with the underdog. And when you stand up and speak out as their advocate, you are well-positioned to create change. At an extreme, you may begin to see yourself as a victim. You see yourself as fighting against “them,” who have created whatever situation you are experiencing. Your ability to empathize is better used to help others recognize the power and control that each of us has over our own lives.

• You can create “relationship burnout.” You believe that together we are better. This is almost a mantra for you. You will work tirelessly to build and maintain relationships. When your entire focus is on relationships you can quickly burn yourself and others out. You start to believe that you can’t be productive on your own. You stop speaking up for yourself for the sake of maintaining a relationship. Or you spend all of your time maintaining relationships and have no time to devote to other pieces of your life. Clear boundaries are essential for any Lover Leader to avoid “relationship burnout.”

How to use this leadership style to create impact

All of us need a little Lover in our life – and we all have access to it when we need it. Let’s take a look at how Lover leadership can help us create impact in the world.

• Lover as a storyteller. Stories are powerful tools that allow us to see the world (and ourselves) in unique ways. Stories bring us closer together, catalyze action, and give us a reason to believe. When you want to shed light on an issue or create deeper meaning around a project – lead with Lover energy. Use the adventurous spirit and creativity of the Lover to tell a story that takes your audience deep into your experience of the world. Allow them to experience the transformation through words, pictures, dance or any other creative outlet and they will support you.

• Lover as an advocate. When you are deeply moved by the experience of another, you are in Lover territory. Use your emotions to be a voice for those who cannot – or will not – speak. Notice what you are seeing that others might not be able to see. Act as a translator and bridge-builder. Approach problem-solving with a sense of discovery and find the never-before considered pathway.

• Lover as a community builder. Your friend Jane is a doctor in Uganda. One of her biggest challenges is access to reliable electricity. You met Suzie a few weeks ago in Thailand. She’s been trying to sell solar-powered generators in rural areas. You just got back from a conference where you met a group of impact investors looking to fund technology projects. Your personal passion is women’s health care issues. (Are you seeing the connections? Is it driving you crazy? You may be a Lover.) Use Lover energy to connect these individuals to one another around a shared desire. Dig deep into the Lover’s ability to create intimacy to bring each individual into full collaboration on a project. Use the playful, relaxed approach of the Lover to build a community.

At their best, Lover Leaders surrender to intuition and nurture growth in an organic, sustainable way. 

They are clear on their passions and follow them easily. They approach life with patience and flexibility because they live in the moment. If you want more Lover leadership in your life, start by letting your emotions out.

Where do you think Lover Leaders can create the most impact? Let me know below. 

Next up in the series, Warrior Leaders. Get ready. These leaders don’t go down without a fight. 

The Sovereign Leader knows how to unite and motivate people towards a common purpose.

You are confident and enthusiastic. A natural visionary, you inspire others with a picture of what’s possible for the future. You are motivated by opportunities to create deep transformation – in individuals, organizations, cultures or the world. Your optimism and generosity acts like a magnet that draws people to you. You prefer to be the one setting the direction and creating the rules. There is a grandness to how you live and work (and you wouldn’t have it any other way).

Your essential strength as a Sovereign Leader

The Sovereign Leader’s essential strength is the ability to be inspired {and inspire others} by ideas that work. In our society they help us to see that who we are is “good enough” to truly change the world.  Here’s how:

• Your imagination knows no bounds. It is easy for you to generate ideas. You can imagine how improvements or new solutions might address a specific problem. This is part of what makes you an effective change agent. You begin with a picture of the end in mind and then work to create it – whether it is the design of a solar-powered house or a business venture that will solve a major societal problem.

• You can fake it until you make it. Your confidence allows you to step into leadership roles beyond what you’ve accomplished before.You are a natural performer and know how to express yourself in a way that creates a certain effect on others.  As a result, you have the capacity to show strength and keep those around you motivated while you build the qualities and skills needed to accomplish the job at hand.

• You support and help others to grow. Your warmth and generosity draws people to you. You give freely of yourself – through time, money or emotional support. You know how to empower people and nurture their growth.

Your essential challenge as a Sovereign Leader

The Sovereign Leader’s essential challenge is staying grounded. They adore freedom and adventure – getting them to do something can be difficult. Here’s why:

• You can get easily swept up. It is safe to say that you love to think big. You can take the smallest idea and turn it into grand plans that will change the world. And you adore the freedom to create, dream, and scheme. But all of your best ideas could easily float into the clouds if you don’t take the time to come back to earth and actually go through the action steps of turning your ideas into concrete reality.

• You can overdrive your headlights. All of that positive thinking and “fake it until you make it” confidence is powerful. But it becomes a liability when you ignore the signs around you of resistance or failure. You can get so caught up in your vision, playing a role and making an impression on people that you drive blindly down a path you can’t see. This manic, untouchable behavior can alienate the very people you are leading.

• You can give too much. You deeply value connection. And you have so much to give in the way of big ideas and inspiration that you are a trusted advisor to many. It is no surprise that when you are under stress or feeling off balance that you find yourself giving or supporting others. It feels good and validates your place in the world. But there is such a thing as too much.Your biggest relationship challenge is to learn to establish boundaries and to realize that receiving support does not make you vulnerable or weak.

How to use this leadership style to create impact 

It bears repeating that we all have access to qualities of Sovereign leadership. It is also important to realize that tapping into the energy of the Sovereign is absolutely necessary in the right context. So, whether or not you centrally identify with the Sovereign Leader, there are some very specific ways that you can use this leadership style to create impact.

• Sovereign as a fire starter. Fire represents a passion for life. Sovereigns light the fires that get people moving with passion and joy. Tap into this energy when you need to generate excitement around a new idea, when you have a rally cry for action or when you need to pivot and move your business or organization in a new direction.

• Sovereign as a motivator. You see a social or environmental problem that needs addressing. Everyone around you says, “I can’t.” or “It’s too hard.” You don’t know how to solve the problem, but you know that it can be done. Use the Sovereign energy to step up and provide a vision. Shine a light on the possibilities. Ask the question, “What if?”

• Sovereign as a team builder. You are working on a project or a problem with a team. You need to deliver results, but everyone is moving in different directions. If there was a vision, it’s long been lost. Engage the team with the Sovereign’s warmth and generosity. Work with each individual to identify his or her needs and role. Draw the team together around a common purpose.

At their best, Sovereign Leaders practice an extreme amount of courage to accomplish the impossible. 

That courage comes from knowing who they are an intimate level and being willing to share all of themselves with the world. If you want more Sovereign energy in your life, begin your journey inward.

Where could you use more Sovereign leadership in your life? Let me know below. 

And stay tuned. We’ll continue our exploration of the leadership styles later this week. Next up: the Lover Leader.  These leaders know how to take relationship and make change. 

It is time to dispel the myth that leadership looks a certain way. It is time to stop equating leadership with positions of power and consider the possibility that each of us has the capability to lead our own movement, in our own way. So you want to change the world? You want to use your gifts for good? You want your head to hit the pillow at night confident that you made a difference?

Then: You are a leader.

The question becomes, are you willing to claim that title?  In a world framed by a debate of right and wrong, haves and have-nots, developed versus developing, I completely understand the desire to shy away from leadership.  You are here to do good.  You are here to live a life you love.  Period.  End of sentence.

Except: Your ability to create change – for yourself, for people, for the planet – hinges upon how you lead.

When you start to explore who you are as a leader, the game changes. Your power to influence, cultivate and shape new possibilities strengthens. You become more agile and nimble in uncertain environments. Getting the results you wants becomes easier. You become more able to communicate your message in a way that inspires others to action.

The bottom line: if you don’t know how you lead – or if you are busy trying to convince everyone you’re not a leader – then your ability to create impact through your work will be limited. Because, at the end of the day, our world’s problems won’t be solved by technology, law or new economic structures. The world’s problems will be solved by people.

Let’s get specific. 

Who are you? It’s not a question that we stop to answer often. And, yet, every day our self moves through the world living the answer to that question. And then there are the parts of us that are hidden from view in the shadow - a source of untapped power. These ideas originate from Carl Jung who did extensive work as a scientist to understand the inner human landscape. He described common human approaches to the world through archetypes or energies. And while we all have access to all of these energies, we tend to gravitate towards a dominant approach.

The four central leadership archetypes or styles are:

The Sovereign (find out more here)

You have a strong vision. You are inspired to reach for the stars.  You view the world through a confident, optimistic lens. You tend to step into positions of authority – whether heading a company or a nation. People follow you.

The Lover (find out more here)

You go with the flow. You are in touch with your emotions and feelings. You know how to use those qualities to create a collaborative, inviting space for people to explore their creativity and create relationships. You are open, vulnerable, and spontaneous.

The Warrior (find out more here)

You have the courage and strength to assert yourself. You are known for setting goals and achieving them. You know how to manage time, money and tasks to get sh*t done. You are solid, pragmatic, and capable of taking action that results in success.

The Magician (find out more here)

You see things that others can’t see. You are intuitive, wise, and see the big picture. You don’t judge right and wrong. You only see what is. You are deeply committed to uncovering new knowledge and are adept at reflecting that knowledge back to others.

Leadership styles matter.  

Negotiation. Conflict Resolution. Relationships. Boundaries. Empathy. Accomplishment. Creativity. Community. Balance. Your ability to create these things in your life and for others is tied to your leadership style. I want you to experience yourself as a leader. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be exploring each of the leadership styles in detail. I will lay out the strengths and the challenges of each. You’ll get intimate with the natural element that drives each one. And I’ll show you how each leadership style is most effective in creating lasting impact in the world.

A caveat: I’m not trying to box you in.

Each of us has the ability to move between each leadership style. You likely embody one or more of the archetypes. Drawing distinct lines around each of the four is a way for me to demonstrate concrete leadership approaches, while recognizing that you have multiple gifts. The greater your facility to move between each leadership style, the more likely you are to create change that matters.

So, buckle up. Snap in. Get ready. I’m on a mission to blow open the doors on your leadership.

And let me know in the comments below, what do you want to know about your leadership style?  Where do you think you fall? Shape the conversation that is about to take place. 

If vision comes naturally to you. If you call yourself a fire starter. If you love to lead with big ideas. Then definitely follow this link to the next post in the series, the Sovereign Leader.