Strong Ground

Years ago I was part of a team of faculty and students who researched what we called ‘meaning making’ by leaders. Since that time, in my leadership, in my coaching and in my life - purpose and meaning have continued to show up again and again.

Two of my favorite authors, Brene Brown and Adam Grant touched on this topic in a recent episode of the Dare to Lead podcast. Their opinion, and I agree, is that we have so much more meaning in our lives and work when we know who we are and what matters most to us. In the podcast Brene uses athleticism and training to describe the concept of strong ground - groundedness: unmovable - unstoppable.

This conversation and their emphasis on the need for leaders to have strong ground - to be grounded, spiritually, cognitively, emotionally drew me back to another research project I was a part of that was all about grounded leadership. That research was centered around the work of Bob Rosen and addressed the ways that leaders stay rooted in an uncertain world. In Rosen’s metaphor, we are like trees - and there is the part above ground that people see (our behaviors and actions) and the part below ground - our roots, if you will.  The roots are our hidden foundation. The roots define who we are and who we aspire to be. The roots are comprised of our life purpose, our character and our deepest values. 

When we are clear about our roots - our groundedness - that is when we lead and live a life aligned fully with who we are, what we believe and what matters. And that is also when we have the best chance to be leaders who make meaning for our organizations and our people.  

Do you know  what matters the most to you? Do you know what small number of values make up your root system? Do you have a gauge to know when you are working from your values and when you are not? 

Be brave and practice your strong ground anchored in healthy roots - for yourself, and for those you serve.

“Individuals and organizations are building new muscles. Finding our strong ground - that athletic stance - is the only thing that can provide both unwavering stability in a maelstrom of uncertainty and a platform for the fast, explosive change that the world is demanding.”

~ Brene Brown, Strong Ground