How to flourish

During a conversation with a CEO I’m coaching, he referred to an earlier blog I wrote, How you can Flourish and in an agitated tone, he said, “I’ve read the blog, and still don’t know what I need to do to flourish”.

Reflecting on his question, I offered he consider that to flourish is not something he do, but something he be.

“Please explain” he responded.

I offered that flourishing is not defined by what you do, it’s determined by how you choose to be. It’s not a ‘place’ you go to, it’s a ‘space’ you come from.

“So how do I do that” he impatiently asked.

I shared that to flourish does not require he develop a capability he feels he may lack but to give himself permission to access a capacity he always has.

Holding his intrigue, I asked him whether he thought he had the capacity to be more curious, more compassionate, and more courageous.

“Absolutely,” he assertively replied.

“So, there’s your answer,” I said.

Otto Scharmer refers to “three instruments” that create the ‘space’ to flourish:

1. Open Mind
   Be curious. Be a better observer of your beliefs, opinions, and moods. Be curious as to how they may serve you, or not.
   

2. Open Heart
   Be compassionate. Accept that others see things differently. Be open to learn from their differences rather than judge them.
   

3. Open Will
   Be courageous. Hold yourself with dignity and bring all of what and who you are and make the difference you’re here to make.

I’m looking forward to our next coaching conversation and meantime, may you flourish with an open mind, open heart, and open will.