The first thing you notice of great leaders, male or female, is when they enter a room they fill the space with their physical presence and being.

But while these leaders can positively light-up a room, excite and inspire others just for being there, on the flip side, others can create a sense of dread, pessimism or even stress.

Whether you are conscious of it or not, you too create an impact on the space in which you inhabit within three relational fields.

How you relate to yourself
How you relate to others and equally, how they relate to you
How you relate to your environment

Therefore, with conscious awareness - and practise of these four simple embodied techniques - it is within your power and choosing to lead with a desired intention to your relationships, at all times.

In embodied leadership this is what we call, Mastering your Space. An embodiment process especially potent for leadership and people management skills, where healthy (and of course ethical) influence can be beneficial for all involved.

Mastering your Space In 4 Steps.

1.Centre

Standing (or seated) with feet shoulder width apart apart, soften the knees, hips and straighten the spine upwards. Relax the shoulders, lift the chin while relaxing the jaw and other facial muscles. Breathe gently and smoothly into the belly (preferably through the nose). Soften the belly and focus on your centre of gravity (approx belly button area).

Being relaxed in ourselves sends an unconscious signal to others that they are free to relax too

2. Ground

Feel your feet on the floor (or bum in chair), find a steady base that is both secure but also balanced for action. (vs on one leg/or to one side). Allow the felt sense of gravity to do its job, feel a sense of being held. Breathe deep into the belly and even imagine breathing downwards into the ground. This grounding exercise will help reduce heart rate, bring calm to the nervous system and allow the brain to operate in full readiness.

3. Expand

Bring attention to your centre (i.e belly button area) and breathe into this point and expand - Imagine a light, star or felt sensation. Go slowly, bringing your sense of centre out in all directions, expanding evenly throughout the body. Then outside the body, then to the edges of personal space (normal arm length from body). And finally, expand your sense of self to the entire room.

Be present in all four corners of the room. Allow your attention to surround and envelop all objects in the room. Can you sense more connection to the room?

4. Evoke.

With this expanded sense of self in the room, try to imagine it was textured, grainy or misty. Maybe even fill it with a colour, whatever works for you. When you sense it, see if you can bring-in and evoke a feeling or emotion into this textured space. Try bringing 5 or 10% more interest, compassion, intensity or listening. What does the space need, perhaps 5% more strength or softness?

See what feels right for the situation. Can you offer the room just 10% more presence or curiosity? 15%?

Whats new?

How does this feel now?
What is your new experience in the room?
How do you sense your own physical being after that exercise?
What can you bring to your team, or even a 1-on-1 meeting or perhaps in a challenging conversation?

Practice over Theory

No, they don't teach you this in normal leadership training classes. While these actions (not theory) might seem strange, very quickly they will enable you to bring new experiences from inside, to all those you interact with in the physical world.

When practised and actioned from our grounded place of an authentic centre, people around us notice. Even if they may not call it out in conscious awareness at the time, they will leave, like we have at some point with the thought, ‘wow that person was electric! There was definitely something about her.’

Now go Master your Space…

If you wish to learn more about embodied leadership practises and training contact me for more information, whether on an individual basis or for team or company workshops.