Leadership Fluorescence

Fluorescence is a luminescence that is mostly found as an optical phenomenon.  Fluorescence occurs when a molecule, atom or nanostructure relaxes to its ground state after being electrically excited.

Leaders are often electrically charged with passion-  absorbing, thinking, taking initiative, speaking, listening,  and being out in the world creating change. I have been surrounded and connected by leaders up close and at a distance  over the last few weeks. It is stimulating and exciting to be connected to leaders who are out to make a difference, who use their passion and strengths and gifts.  We are on  a high when we hear, speak to, or see leadership exhibited and sometimes it is a peak event.

I like to think of leaders as a catalyst.  They charge us up.   Like fluorescence that only occurs once a relaxed ground state is reached, the stimulation we receive needs to be taken in, put into our own context, mulled over and grounded with in us so that we can then sparkle and illuminate the world ourselves as leaders.

Id like to introduce to you and share with you a few of the charged leaders Ive been around lately, that Ive been so blessed to connect with.

Emily Payne ( my amazing daughter!) and her speaking partner Spencer West, on a year-long Go Global Speaking Tour for Free the Children and MetoWe.   Youth themselves inspiring other youth to take action, to make a difference locally and globally.

Alex Wray and his young son Adam. Alex is a great group facilitator with his company the Wray Group, growing leaders in so many ways.  His wide-eyed son Adam who all he wants to do is find a way to save the world-came and spent the day with Emily and Spencer- catalysts for him that might make his fluorescence.

Richard Barrett from the Values Center,  and Charles Holmes.   Charles is a connector, bringing together brilliant minds to meet and dialogue. People like the Dalai Lama.  I attended Richard’s  a small workshop hosted by Charles,  attended by people he knows, and learned so much about how to understand and map values and be a full spectrum leader.

Matt Tod, a young speaker/facilitator I know who is creating an emotional intelligence program for youth- brilliant work,  and mentoring a young 12 year old.

Debbie Kemp, a woman in my community. Deeply cares about community, about youth in community, and brings her passion and heart to her coaching work, collaborating and learning.

Erna Hagge, my co-author of Tri-namics- our next book being published in a month or so. Creative genius with bold ideas and deep compassion.

My nephew Chris Lawrie- leaping to Australia on a 6 month adventure studying and working and learning about not just the world, but learning to be in the world on his own.

Dr. Todd Thomas and Jack Canfield.  Never personally met them, but they selected a small story I wrote for a book to be published called Life Lessons for Leaders. So grateful I am for their ability to give voice and space to others to share leadership lessons learned.

Perry Goldsmith, founder of the National Speakers Bureau. I attended the 35th anniversary celebration of this wonderful organization that gives people opportunites to speak their stories, connecting them with audiences who relish the learning.

Leaders are everywhere in our lives.   I continually absorb, take in and ground myself. Mulling over what they stirred in me.  As I do I also feel the fluorescence shining as I too am a leader, a catalyst for others in different ways.  When we spark leadership in others, the fluorescent sparkles illuminate our world. We need to continually feed each other leadership so the light shines brighter and brighter.   The space between us is only a gulf  of darkness if we want it to be.  When we all shine together we can see so much more easily.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescence