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Freedom at Work, Fear and the Power Question
Posted by: babacita | Posted on: May 22nd, 2013 | 0 Comments
Last week I was part of WorldBlu LIVE.
WorldBlu LIVE 2013 is the world’s premier gathering on freedom in the workplace. It is designed for individuals and organizations who recognize the power of freedom and democracy as a leading tool for boosting the bottom-line, promoting innovation, attracting top talent and inspiring full engagement.
More than just a conference, WorldBlu LIVE is an experience that combines a showcase for democratic innovation, a platform for rule-breakers, and an audience of revolutionaries. This is all wrapped in a unique, stylized environment that will leave you inspired, full of fresh ideas, and connected with a world-class community of leaders.
A lot of which I heard aligned precisely with my current process and thinking, but I also heard some amazing stories about what companies are doing to promote Freedom at Work. Yes, this is touchy/feely stuff… BUT the results are remarkable all the way around from the human capital aspect to productivity and innovation right to the bottom line.
The 10 Principles of Workplace Democracy
- Purpose and Vision
- Transparency
- Dialogue & Listening
- Fairness & Dignity
- Accountability
- Individual & Collective
- Choice
- Integrity
- Decentralization
- Reflection & Evaluation
Fear vs. freedom
One big thing that really hit me last week was fear vs. freedom. Fear is everywhere and has several levels, especially in a work environment. And though you may not even realize it, fear does play a major factor in moral, productivity, creativity and the bottom line. Within a command and control, fear-based organization, personnel experience diminished self-confidence, esteem, value and worth. Basically smothering their spirit. Fear is an emotional response and I took the couple following notes that I felt important:
- Clear your mind and use logic
- Accept fear and walk through it
- Fear doesn’t equal failure
- Use fear as energy and fuel
- Have you made the horrifying concession… spending your work life unfulfilled?
The first step is to become aware of the fear. Once you realize it, it then becomes a choice. We all have a choice.
One big question, that Traci Fenton, WorldBlu Founder and CEO, labeled The Power Question – What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Think about that in all aspects of your life. For decision making. Powerful, yes?
A few years ago I really began a new transformation, which started off as a re-brand of my consulting firm, Babacita, but it ended up a re-discovery of me. Through this discover I found that my values boil down to these 4 things:
- Service – a sense of doing more for humanity and human rights
- Compassion – a true sense of giving and helping others
- Organize – Forethought and planning, systematic, efficient
- Accomplish – Driven and motivated to accomplishment and providing value
Since then there have been so many changes in my life – all to support these values and the mission of Babacita (and me)… Evolve, Connect and Inspire. I came out of the gate on fire. A new energy and passion with what felt right for the first time in my career. I began writing and living with a heart-centered approach (here’s an example – Incorporating A Heart-Centered Approach to Business). Consciously aware of everything that feeds or deposits me and what I’m about and everything that withdrawals and is negative. But there was one thing that was still holding me back from truly reliving my dream of self-employment. Fear. The very same fear I mentioned earlier. Would I really be able to put a roof over my head and feed my children? I have no doubt in my skills and the ability to succeed, but it was the fear held me back. And the answer to The Power Question for me is to absolutely leap. But to do it methodically and systematically, and yes, my plans are in motion.
Some other just random notes that I took away from WorldBlu LIVE in no particular order that are some good things to think about (please ignore my html formatting issues):
- Attributes of Tribal Leadership
- Identity and belonging
- Learning and teaching
- Customs
- Culture
- Ceremony
- Folklore (have burial parties to flush out unhelpful stories)
- Warriors
- Freedom – create conditions for people to realize their full potential
- Create the opportunity to live and express true worth, providing a full range of creativity and innovation – empower people in a meaningful way
- Value of Self
- You are valuable
- You have worth
- You have ideas
- Values
- How do you support them?
- What did you do today that supported your values?
A freedom-centered leadership through values and culture, is what I live and breathe and is what I’m helping others do as well.
Babacita draws out the best in individuals and organizations by focusing energy in three ways – evolve, connect and inspire. I then provision my clients with freedom-centered principles, education and communication programs so they reach their true potential by living authentically to their values, while delivering superior results.
Let me know if you’d like to learn more of how I can help personally or organizationally evolve, connect and inspire.
When you lose your creative mojo…
Posted by: babacita | Posted on: February 28th, 2013 | 0 Comments
Mine was recently lost… for some time it 
was nowhere to be found. I won’t lie, it worried me. What if it didn’t come back? Then I remembered to trust. It’s in me. It’s always been there and maybe it wasn’t the right time. My energies were needed elsewhere. But what worried me was the fact that it is such a big part of who I am and that fire had just vanished. Recently though there have been sparks. And those sparks have been increasing as the days go on. It’s coming back.
So I pose a question to you. When such an integral part of who you are suddenly vanishes what do you do to help get that back? Do you do anything or simply trust?
