Why do we listen for the latest “buzzwords” at VIM Executive Coaching? Invariably, it is because we hear them come up in client coaching almost as one would seek the Holy Grail. Such words have recently included “bandwidth,” “team player,” “out-of-the-box,” “emotional intelligence,” and even “passionate.” In fact, there is no end to ever changing and dynamic (another buzzword) phraseology.
“Escape”
As the mist of pandemic lockdown begin to clear, we have become aware of the word “escape” taking new shades and colors in the lexicon. Clearly, we have lately heard it in commercials for automobiles, airlines, hotels and even perfume. We have heard escape apply to day spas, restaurants, coffees and health centers (presumably escaping excess poundage and demanding children). We have heard it being used in reference to digital devices, café mochas, our hum-drum lives and credit cards.
Naturally with all this escaping talk, it was bound to enter the lexicon of executive leadership. Not surprising, we have heard a clamor for escape from work teams, video conferencing, mindset and vision, “oppressive” bosses, difficult to manage subordinates and intractable vendors.
The most common sentence in reference to “escape” is in the form of a wish:
“I wish I could escape.”
And as these mists clear, more and more executives and leadership teams will achieve their insightful (another buzzword) need to escape their supposed and imagined hum-drum lives, and they will find they have not left where they started.
Where Will You Go?
Yes, we can all go out, buy (or lease) a $60,000 vehicle and escape to an exclusive resort. We can join the most elite or all elite health clubs, get a high-priced ex-Olympic trainer and “escape from” ten unwanted pounds. We can escape video-conferencing, meet in-person and “air-hug.”
And, with all that, still find ourselves paying off car and vacation credit card bills, re-gaining 10 pounds into 15 and finding the difficult individuals on our team conference calls have not changed one-wit in a year of social distance.
For the executive leadership journeys, we truly seek are never fully accomplished from without by a physical escape, but are always from someplace deep within.
Where will you go on your executive leadership escape? If you have not fully gone from a desire or longing for change from the superficial to deeper within, we are afraid that you will have not gone anywhere. Worst of all, you will instinctively understand that as well.
Mindfulness is the Best Escape
Learning the attribute of mindfulness is the best escape of all. And yet, the mindful executive leader is the most present of all leaders. It is a conundrum to be certain. For to fully escape is to be present and in the moment.
This is not VIM Executive Coaching double-talk or philosophical mumbo-jumbo, but intensely practical and hands-on. It is a wisdom that too often leaders forget. It is being present to co-workers, subordinates and most importantly ourselves. Mindfulness demands we are always the same person, to listen and respond in the moment, to think before speaking and to avoid unconstructive reaction and focus instead on where “the journey” can take us rather than driving off on a leadership tangent.
Mindfulness does not rely on buzzwords or things to surround and comfort us. It is not a place of leadership action that requires special phraseology or fancy equipment, just yourself to the fullest. Perhaps that is its best, simplest and most precious aspect. We are always happy to discuss this approach with prospective clients in fuller detail.