Navigating Transition.
You have no doubt come across the ancient Chinese philosophical symbol of the Yin & Yang. It is a graphic representation of a life reality: Sometimes life feels sunny and bright, and you are filled with optimistic vigor. Other times it feels dark and foreboding, and your emotional state plummets. Leaders with Gravitas learn how to navigate both with poise.
The genius of the Chinese perspective is that the point is not about just trying to increase the proportions to be more bright and less dark. While that's a normal human desire, they see the two dynamics as complementary and interconnected. Because of that, there is a shift away from equating bright with good and dark with bad. Instead, there is the recognition that our lives need both inhale and exhale, expansion and contraction, enthusiasm and sobriety. It is the whole that is good, not just the part.
Despite that wisdom, sometimes change and transition in life really hurts. No matter how "good" or necessary it may be, it's simply painful and disorienting. Which calls us back to the groundedness and perseverance of Gravitas.
In the sphere of leadership, it could be getting downsized or passed over... It could be losing passion or burning out... It could be a performance barrier or a relationship challenge or a spiritual crisis. The crucial element is that it was not of your choosing--but now you have to deal with it.
This topic is complex and worthy of multiple posts, so I'll just summarize a few key pointers here:
Acknowledge what's real. Your instinct might be to just put your head down and grind harder. Or self medicate. Or just distract and deny. None of these are your friend.
Pause for reflection. Take some intentional time to get in touch with what's happening in and around you, what it means, and what you want. Try a one-day retreat.
Don't go it alone. Invite a small number of trusted allies into this part of your journey--a spouse, a soul friend, and yes a coach / spiritual director.
Something is likely dying (that's the painful part), and something new is coming to life--something that will usher you into a new season of greater meaning and joy.