Is the Magic in the Shadow? with Sarah Watson

Summary 

In this conversation, MaryAnn and Emily interview Sarah Watson, a New York-based executive coach. They discuss the concept of difficult behavior in founders and how Sarah approaches it with a focus on finding the intelligence and potential in those behaviors. They explore the difference between enabling behaviors and working at a deeper level to tap into a person's life force. Sarah shares an example of a high-powered executive who was dismissive and aggressive but had a strategic problem-solving ability. They also discuss the importance of embracing and harnessing different parts of oneself, such as the 'bitch' part that craves justice and honesty. Sarah emphasizes the need to meet these parts without judgment and to allow them to express themselves in healthy ways. They touch on the physicality of leadership and the challenges of leading remote teams. Sarah discusses the importance of creating a safe and acknowledged space before engaging in difficult conversations. She emphasizes the role of a leader in making everyone feel safe and seen, and shares her approach of deeply connecting with individuals before facilitating discussions. Sarah also highlights the challenges leaders face in creating psychological safety while handling the demands of running an organization. MaryAnn raises the question of how to help leaders create safe spaces without needing external mediators, and Emily wonders how dysfunctional leaders can be open to the work of creating healthy environments. Sarah and MaryAnn discuss the importance of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and holding space for healing and expression. They also explore the key elements of creating a safe space, including consciousness, intuition, and meeting the needs of the community.

Takeaways

• Approach difficult behavior with the belief that there is intelligence and potential behind it.
• Distinguish between enabling behaviors and working at a deeper level to tap into a person's life force.
• Embrace and harness different parts of oneself, such as the 'bitch' part that craves justice and honesty.
• Leadership involves being in touch with one's body and creating a safe space for teams to feel calm and connected.
• Leading remote teams presents unique challenges in building trust and establishing a sense of physical presence. Creating a safe and acknowledged space is crucial before engaging in difficult conversations.
• Leaders play a vital role in making everyone feel safe and seen.
• Connecting deeply with individuals before facilitating discussions can foster a sense of safety and openness.
• Leaders face challenges in creating psychological safety while handling the demands of running an organization.
• Forgiveness and self-acceptance are essential for personal growth and effective leadership.
• Consciousness, intuition, and meeting the needs of the community are key elements in creating a safe space.

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