Words by Laticia Gibson, Founder of Mind Body Business
So you’ve decided it’s time you walk a path of authenticity but what now? How do you apply this in your business?
Firstly we must peel back some layers and ask a few tough questions about ourselves. The first is this. Are you actually poisoning your business?
Andrew Hughes, a Clinical Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) believes a lot of people don’t understand just how powerful their mind is and it can stop us from becoming great leaders in our business.
“Ultimately leadership is all about people and your impact upon them. All of the recent research on performance and leadership establishes that the leader that can turn stress into challenge; build an environment where people enjoy what they do; and can identify a contribution to a larger purpose, are well ahead of the game,” he said.
Andrew says the old paradigm of leadership being a ‘carrot and stick affair’ driven by the bottom line, simply doesn’t work. What’s more it has plagued us as a society.
“If we look around this great planet it’s pretty easy to accept that we’re part of a large system that is complex and inter-dependent. Look at anything in that system, besides humans, and you will see that, where there is life, life is focused on thriving and being the best version of itself that is possible in the circumstances. It’s the essence of evolution. Nothing is trying to be something that it isn’t. Cows aren’t trying to pass themselves off as fish and trees aren’t pretending to be flowers,” states Andrew.
So if cows aren’t trying to be fish, why are we trying to be something or someone we aren’t? Why not be the best version of yourself instead?
“That is where the magic is – finding what it is that you have to offer the grand game of life bringing it to the fore,” he said.
~Business Game Changer Special Promotion~
But how many of us are actually following our hearts? How authentic are you being? Are you making excuses for all the reasons you can’t?
“Too many get caught up in the drama of life and model themselves and their behaviours desperately trying to be somebody else.
In-authenticity is the antithesis to effective leadership. No one wants to follow a fake.”
Andrew believes the first job of leadership is to be yourself and find your own style. The next step is to acknowledge that everyone has potential to be great at something. A great leader helps people discover what it is and then to become great at it.
This comes back to a point that I am always emphasising with my clients – you have to look after yourself to be a great leader! You have to nourish your mind AND body to lead a team and build a great business.
“Mental health and wellbeing are essential for effective leadership. Wherever you go, that’s where you’ll be. Any leader who is feeling anxious or stressed will spew that out as soon as they are under pressure.
That has an immediate impact on culture, morale and attitude. Moreover, communicating in a way that creates stress creates a chemical mix in the brain that makes it impossible for that person to think clearly, learn anything or operate at any thing close to full efficiency. The research is very clear on this. A stressed mind clouds judgment and decreases IQ,” says Andrew.
Chronic stress is associated and a contributing factor to the vast majority, if not all, regular illnesses, he says. “Ultimately, chronic stress in the body can lead to genetic mutation. It’s one way to explain the fact that, according to the UK Cancer research foundation, only 5% of cancers are hereditary. The rest is attributable to the environment in which our cells live and a large part of that mix is determined by our internal world. So if you want to make great decisions and then be around long enough to reap the rewards it’s a good idea look after your health and wellbeing,” he said.
“One thing to add is that it is not only what you say that has an impact upon people around you. When you are experiencing an emotion you are encoding an electromagnetic field that emanates from your heart with that emotion. That field spreads out from the body, much like the toroidal field surrounding the Earth. It gives to and receives feedback from other people around you. At the same time 25% of the 80 billion neurons in your body are called mirror neurons and are focused on what other people are feeling. All of this means it is impossible to “fake it till you make it”.
Unconsciously, people know what you are feeling or least that something is not congruent if you are not being authentic.
So how powerful are our thoughts in attracting the world we experience? What does a destructive mindset look like?
“There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that what you get back are experiences and manifestations that are consistent with what you put out,” he states.
This means that it all comes back to our choices. If you want more peace, calm, money, fulfillment – what are you doing to get it? Have you analysed the way you are thinking? Are you self-sabotaging your own success and happiness? Are you surrounding yourself with negative people who tell you that you can’t?
“If you want success, fulfillment or more money to come into your business the best mindset is one that reflects having those things. Of course, that doesn’t mean you ought be gullible and nor does it mean that if you imagine a bag of money falling into your lap long enough it will magically do so.
Consciousness responds to doing but the key is for the action to be inspired, not to be undertaken with a fear of failure or an underlying current of need.”
Andrew states, “A balanced and healthy mind has at least one positive thought or internal representation for every negative. As the ratio of negativity increases mental health decreases. A ratio 1:4 positive to negative thoughts or internal representations is associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As that ratio increases a person heads towards depression and a potential diagnosis of psychosis. It saps energy and brain function. It is also draining on anyone who is unlucky enough to be around you – clients included.” Powerful stuff!
So science actually shows us just how important it is to manage our mindset but how do you do this when a lot of these behaviours are habits engrained and event taught to us from a young age?
In my next article we will look at how to manage your mindset and avoid being controlled by fear so you can activate your potential and live the authentic life you truly deserve.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, LATICIA GIBSON
Laticia has over eleven years journalism experience, working across the globe as a reporter and producer for Channel Seven, BBC and ITN.
Leaving the world of journalism was an easy decision for Laticia. Realising that the volatility and ego of a newsroom just wasn’t for her, she knew she wanted to continue with her passion of telling stories.
Unearthing, chasing and creating – it’s what she does best.
Beyond creative storytelling, her passion also extends to sharing knowledge of health and how this can be instrumental in creating a healthy business.
Hence, her project, Mind Body Business was born in 2014. This event is one of the most challenging and rewarding projects she has ever worked on.
ABOUT ANDREW HUGHES
Mind Body Business Speaker
Andrew is an international speaker on the art of fulfillment, the science of human potential and being a true leader. A recovered lawyer, Andrew has trained and coached thousands of people to access their personal power, bringing peace, authenticity and fulfillment to their lives.
Audiences ranging from school children to CEOs are engaged and inspired by Andrew’s energetic and passionate delivery of his core message:
You are a walking miracle. Your potential is profound. Follow your heart. Discover your joy. Never settle for anything less. With degrees in Economics and Law, and a Masters degree in International Law, Andrew has had plenty of exposure to the corporate world. He now combines that experience with what he has discovered about living an extraordinary and authentic life.
Known for his ability to challenge, inspire and energise audiences, Andrew now works with groups across the globe leading them to become their authentic, fulfilled selves.
