Thoughts on Embodiment

Embodiment is an interesting concept.  Completeness, fullness, thoroughness.  I am a cautious person by nature believing in the value of thinking, planning, and “informed” risk-taking.  I like to have one foot on solid ground while the other ventures into new territory.  This is a safe approach and certainly keeps me inside my comfort zone, ready to retreat when the challenges get too great.

I believe effective leadership requires both feet in.  The people I most admire embody leadership — they don’t have one foot back just in case things don’t work out.  Embodying leadership requires confidence that you can deal with anything that arises. 

Embodiment is a means to living “in the moment” or being fully present.  If I am listening to someone while thinking about something else, it’s equivalent to having one foot back.  To be an effective listener (or arguably effective at anything), I must be fully present.

This doesn’t mean I have to throw away my well-thought-out plans, just that I shouldn’t be too attached to them.  Embodying leadership means having the confidence that whatever the moment brings I will know what to do.