FREEDOM - What is that? And what does it have to do with leadership?

If you've known me for a while, you know that everything I do is in the service of freedom. Freedom is a big topic for me... and so is transformation.

It's important to note that transformation as I understand and mean it (and always have) isn’t about becoming someone or something you are not. You do not need to become someone or something else. In fact, you MUST NOT become someone or something else if your intention is to show up authentically. And you probably also CANNOT become someone else because who you are will always catch up with you somehow at some point.

The transformation I’m talking about is focused on uncovering who you already are.

Embodying and living the freedom to feel your authentic self and to express it in your life.

Liberating yourself from the need to be or become someone or something else.

You are enough… not just on a superficial level (like “qualified enough, experienced enough, beautiful enough,…”) but in your essence, which is consciousness.

We all are.

You are here to find yourself, your profoundest value.

We all have “external value,” the part of us that’s “useful” to the world, the value that flows into our work and our other activities, and into the impact we have through them, in all senses: at home, at work, in our relationships, etc. You could call this “external value” your “unique brilliance” (talents, skills, knowledge, abilities, wisdom, etc.) and its expression in your attitude and behavior.

But then, there is this intrinsic value that has nothing or little to do with your competencies or your work.

It’s the value you have just because you are, as a spiritual-human being. And when you can sense this value and all the power that comes with it, then you are free.

Just sit still for a moment, close your eyes and calm your mind. Have a moment with the present moment, with your essence, with the consciousness you are. With God or Source – you’re free to choose your word.

Can you feel it?

Freedom is also the ability to break free from conditioning... from unintentional conditioning by well-meaning parents and friends, to blatant indoctrination, mind control, and narratives that are incessantly imposed on us, The willingness to see through it, to think for ourselves and to self-determine (through constant practice).

That is freedom. That is sovereignty. That is independence.

If you are a leader – a team leader, community leader, organizational leader, etc. – then you have a responsibility toward those you lead, manage, and guide. This responsibility includes working and standing up for their freedom, whether it’s freedom to thrive, freedom to express their brilliance, freedom of speech, freedom to live a dignified life, etc.

As a leader, you must be able to show courage when freedoms that all humans should be able to enjoy are infringed or restricted. The past few years have shown us very clearly that we have far too few courageous leaders. Many apparently weren’t even concerned about their own freedom either… maybe because they didn’t make the effort to properly inform themselves. I personally find this very disappointing and sad.

So my question to you as a leader is: Are you ready to stand up for what’s right, even though it doesn’t fit the prevailing mainstream narrative? If not, do you really want to be a leader? Should you be one?

With these questions, I don’t mean to deter you from stepping into a leadership role.

My intention is quite different.

I want you to think about WHY you want to be a leader and how important humanity-focused values are to you. Will you uphold them when the going gets tough? Will you stand courageously to defend them, whether that’s in a corporate environment or on a public square? What if your interests are at stake? What if you risk criticism by your manager or by top management?

I think everyone who steps into a leadership role should think about these questions… now more than ever.
Share your thoughts!