The ONE strategy you'll need to know: executive inquiry
Institutions reproduce the workplace climate. These climates impact our overall well being: we are not inseparable for our environments. The task is to, therefore, develop conversations that interrupt sometimes toxic environments. This is more than just talking, but pulling back the layers of your role as an individual: thoughts, words, actions, and habits.
Herein comes a strategy: inquiry.
Executive inquiry.
I have witnessed first-hand and known executive inquiry coaching to holistically improve lives. As an executive lifestyle coach, I’ve facilitated this with my leaders and it works like magic.
Executive inquiry steps are:
looking at the facts, the “what”
framing the key issues or reframing
investigation (gathering protocols)
developing an action plan
implementation
repeat
Of course, leaders can do this on their own, but it will take them much longer because we can’t always see how our own selves get in our own way. On their own, leaders often fall short because they are not trained to see what in the cycle of thought-feelings-actions are stopping them; or they don’t repeat the cycle. However implemented with fidelity, executive inquiry creates a deeper understanding of oneself and everything one interacts with. Leaders become very observant and see things they wouldn’t ever have imagined. If this process is implemented as a DIY, I offer two major overarching themes: interrupt self-sabotage and query habit development.
Interrupt self-sabotage.
Here’s one tip that can help move the do-it-yourself process along: interrupt self-sabotage. In my practice, I often hear leaders often say “Oh I’ve tried this before. It’s just the same thing.” My response is “Well, what is the common factor in all these strategies?” Maybe a harsh question, but it's quite possible that the world is trying to tell you something about yourself. Think about it. Have you decided in advance that you’re going to learn something from everything you’re presented with: most importantly something about yourself! Certain strategies may not be a match for you, but a leadership response would be “How could this be a match for someone else?” and “How can I be a facilitator of knowledge?” Then share. Instead of dismissal reframe your experiences to make them work for you!
Remember: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
You evolve and stop chasing the next best thing or thinking that “change” is on the way. With this state of mind, you’ll never live a fulfilled life because you’ll never be full. Executive inquiry is a process, leaders come to the process knowing that their life is incredible, and they are always expanding from a place of enough. They find joyous expansion everywhere in all things.
Executive lifestyle is a life of expansive inquiry and growth, but again, just because we can, not that we have to or are chasing the next best thing, or not enough. Living an executive lifestyle, we grow because that’s what humans do - create. We attract change that aligns with our mission, not always chasing or seeking change “Change is on the way.” is not part of our understanding.
Query habit development.
If you are feeling uncreative, a way to develop an executive inquiry stance is to always query yourself; but don’t feel like you always have to answer the question. These questions help you develop an executive inquiry mind and answers will be in abundance. Query can be habituated via case study. I’m actually conducting a case study myself and it’s amazing the things I’ve already learned and the people I’ve connected with. You can use yourself as a case for how to conduct executive inquiry.
Executive inquiry is a mental training that manifests in all parts of your life, you develop a stronger knowledge, skills, and expertise. You’re always looking for how something could serve you and, thus, someone else.
Don’t feel like you have to jump from one thing (job, project, relationship) to another. Instead, go deep and engage in an executive inquiry.
Interested in executive inquiry? Contact me and learn all about it.
Photo by Andrijana Bozic on Unsplash