The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.
- Harvey Firestone
On Monday we celebrated Presidents Day. It was originally a day to honor George Washington’s birthday which fell on February 22nd. The holiday was mostly celebrated only in Washington D.C. until it became a nationally recognized holiday in 1885. Because George Washington and Abraham Lincoln had birthdays close to each other in February, Americans often considered the holiday a celebration of both men who played an important part in American history. To most Americans today, Presidents Day has come to represent a day to celebrate all 46 United States’ commanders-in-chief.
Did you know that C-SPAN conducts a Presidential Leadership Survey? According to US News & World Report, the survey ranks the former presidents based on 10 characteristics of leadership, including public persuasion, crisis leadership, economic management, moral authority, international relations, administrative skills, relations with Congress, vision and setting an agenda, pursuing equal justice for all, and performance within the context of the times.
For the fourth consecutive survey, Abraham Lincoln took the top spot. Placing first in all but public persuasion (second place), international relations (third place), and his lowest-ranking category – relations with Congress (fourth place).
George Washington took the lead for the first time in this year's survey for his relations with Congress, a change from his second place ranking in 2017's survey. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson previously held first place.
Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt has held the top spot for public persuasion for four surveys in a row and holds first place for international relations, a ranking he has retained from 2017. He finished third overall.
Former President Barack Obama placed 10th in this year's survey. The ranking represents a bump of two spots from 2017's survey. Obama placed highest, third place, in pursuing equal justice for all. His lowest ranking, falling into the 32nd slot, was for his relations with Congress.
Former President Donald Trump debuted on C-SPAN's Presidential Leadership survey, ranking fourth from the bottom among America's 44 former commanders-in-chief. His highest rankings were in public persuasion, placing 32nd, and in economic management, placing 34th. He landed in last place for both moral authority and administrative skills.
As I reflected on Presidents and leadership over the past few days, I cogitated on my knowledge of personal leadership as it relates to yoga. Yoga-informed leadership involves key concepts that shape good leaders into great leaders. The study, practice, and embodiment of yoga provide tools that help grow and develop people into great leaders. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra provides the roots for this growth.
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj," meaning to join, to “yoke,” or to “unite” body, mind, and spirit through movement, breath, and meditation. It is a complete system of healing and growth, which includes developing awareness and mastery of the mind, physical body, emotions, and interpersonal relations. It is a holistic approach using the eight limbs of yoga consisting of physical postures, breathwork, moral codes, sensory withdrawal, concentration, and meditation, leading to self-realization.
The practice of yoga is the first step to understanding and integrating all parts of ourselves, giving us a better sense of feeling whole. Yoga teaches us to observe ourselves by paying attention to changes in our body, breathing, emotions, attitudes, and relationships as our yoga practice evolves. This wisdom and integration help us be more authentic leaders, informing the way we show up in the world – whether that is as a leader of an organization or in our own life. Yoga creates better leaders in the following ways:
INCREASES SELF-AWARENESS. Yoga’s contribution to increasing self-awareness enhances leadership skills. Self-awareness is the ability to understand one’s own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and values, and how these factors influence behavior and decision-making. In a yoga class, phrases like "bring your attention to the present moment," "check in with yourself," or "invite your focus inward," help us hone our ability to identify our true thoughts and feelings at any given moment. It helps us process, clarify, and reflect. Through yoga, leaders embark on a journey of self-discovery, gaining insights into their personal and professional selves. This increased self-awareness allows leaders to identify areas where they excel and aspects that need improvement. Understanding their leadership style and how it impacts others enables them to lead more effectively and authentically. Additionally, self-aware leaders are better equipped to manage criticism, learn from their experiences, and adapt to new challenges. This level of introspection and self-understanding is crucial in developing a strong and effective leadership style.
HELPS ONE SET GOOD BOUNDARIES AND BEHAVE ETHICALLY. In yoga, the ten principles of the Yamas and Niyamas serve as a map to guide us on life’s journey and provide a recipe for living in the world with ease and integrity. Together, they help us avoid behaviors that produce suffering and difficulty and embrace those that lead to states of happiness. We discover wisdom through ethical practices. (YAMAS - Ahimsa: non-harming or non-violence in thought, word and deed; Satya: truthfulness; Asteya: non-stealing; Brahmacharya: “right use of energy”; Aparigraha: non-greed or non-hoarding; NIYAMAS: Saucha: cleanliness; Santosha: contentment; Tapas: discipline, austerity or ‘burning enthusiasm”; Svadhyaya: self-study and of texts; Isvara Pranidhana: surrender to a higher being, or contemplation of a higher power). As leaders, it is imperative that we have a moral compass.
CULTIVATES GREATER COMPASSION AND EMPATHY. A big component of yoga philosophy is ahimsa (non-violence), the first and foremost of the five Yamas, and it implores us to live in such a way that we cause no harm in thought, speech, or action to any living being, including ourselves. In its pure form, ahimsa is the spontaneous expression of the highest form of love—an unconditional positive regard for everyone and everything. Ahimsa supports greater empathy and compassion for all beings and is critical to strong leadership. Leaders must know how to communicate with, delegate to, and motivate others, and when leaders approach these from a place of love, compassion, and understanding, they reap the rewards of better job satisfaction, better relationships, and better business outcomes. Yoga encourages practitioners to explore compassion and empathy towards themselves and others. This practice of empathy is particularly relevant for leaders, as it enables them to connect on a deeper level, understand another’s perspective, and respond to needs effectively. Leaders who practice yoga often find themselves more attuned to the emotions and motivations of those around them, which is essential in creating a positive and supportive environment. Empathy leads to stronger relationships, improved morale, and increased collaboration. By fostering a culture of understanding and compassion, empathetic leaders inspire loyalty and dedication, which are crucial for the success of all.
IMPROVES FOCUS. Yoga practices involving asanas, meditation, and mindful breathing enhance concentration and mental discipline. With improved focus acquired from the practice, leaders learn to direct their energy and attention more efficiently, leading to better productivity and performance. The ability to focus and maintain attention is crucial for leaders, and yoga offers significant benefits in this area. In today’s fast-paced and distraction-filled environment, leaders need to be able to concentrate on multiple tasks and responsibilities effectively. Additionally, staying focused under pressure is a key attribute of successful leaders. Yoga’s emphasis on mindfulness trains the mind to remain present and engaged, even in challenging situations. By cultivating a sharper focus and attention through yoga, leaders learn to manage their duties more effectively and set a strong example for others.
REDUCES STRESS. Stress brings mental confusion and can negatively affect emotions. If someone is undergoing a life-changing event or crisis and needs to make logical, critical decisions they may find their thinking processes hijacked by the severity of the issue at hand. Movement with breath in a yoga practice teaches us to slow down and moves us from our sympathetic nervous system (flight, fight, or freeze) to our parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest), naturally reducing stress levels and helping to provide clarity and calm. The stressors of daily life can send us spinning out of control. By using the skills practiced during yoga such as patience in the pause, becoming the observer, and witnessing rather than acting and reacting, we can achieve clarity of mind and a more relaxed state at work, during our commute, and at home. Meditation helps deal with depression, mental confusion, sadness, and sorrow by bringing the body into a state of well-being, increasing positive energy, and helping us take control of our emotions. It is only then that our minds can think clearly, remain focused, and make the effective choices needed to solve complex problems.
IMPROVES EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. There is a plethora of information published about the demand for higher levels of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) in today's leaders. Yoga’s role in enhancing emotional intelligence is a key factor in developing leadership skills. Emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing one’s emotions and empathizing with others. Through our yoga, mindfulness, and meditation practices, we cultivate a deep sense of self-awareness and emotional balance. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can better navigate social complexities, build and maintain relationships, and effectively manage conflicts. They are also more adept at understanding the emotional needs of those around them, fostering a supportive and productive work environment. The self-reflection encouraged by yoga helps leaders recognize their emotional responses and understand their impact on decision-making and interpersonal interactions. We learn to lead from our hearts with the understanding that we are all ONE. What harms one, harms all. This heightened emotional intelligence provided by yoga is invaluable in leadership, as it enhances communication, dynamic interaction, and overall leadership effectiveness.
The ability to commit to and practice yoga regularly provides us with a healthier mind and body and improves our ability to deal with adversity at work and home. Through improved clarity and the ability to open our minds to new opportunities, yoga improves our leadership abilities and teaches us to engage compassionately, honestly, and mindfully, with others as well as ourselves. Yoga’s purpose is to grow human beings into those who lead from the heart and their highest Self thus creating a higher standard of leadership.
Love & light,
Jeanne and John