Aikido imitates life. This morning’s observation: grasping stops flow, takes a lot of energy and creates conflict. Conversely, guiding expands possibilities and energy.
As a leader or educator do you grasp and control your people? Or, do you guide and engage them?
Grasping in the workplace may take the form of:
Micromanaging
Taking on other peoples’ unmet responsibilities
Reprimanding through tone and words
Believing there is one right way; not listening
Guiding in the workplace may take the form of:
Asking questions and listening
Acknowledging
Communicating from ‘center’
Keeping vision and intention in clear focus
Holding people accountable to their actions
One way to foster innovation is to guide people to fully contribute. This increases engagement; creativity and innovation will expand. And, you will have more energy to focus on what is ahead!
It is so much easier, think Spiral.
I see many similarities in my yoga practice. When I am focused and centered, I ease into position without over-trying or forcing my body.
As I teach yoga, I find the path of least resistance is to guide clients into better positions with suggestions, and let them allow their own bodies to ease into better postures.