Taking his Zen practice off the bench and into the real world, Eric Kaufmann(@Eric Kaufmann) has dedicated his life to educating and integrating. His books The Four Virtues and Leadership Breakdown are impactful guidelines for the emerging leaders of this complex world. Eric is a Fellow and Thought Leader at Harvard's Institute of Coaching and a speaker for TEDx. Dedicated to mentoring and coaching CEOs and executives, Eric strives to impart the impact of embodied wisdom, love, and power.
Key Takeaways:
Ego-myopia: Transcending ego-myopia demands practice, awareness, and unwavering commitment. Expert Eric Kaufmann identifies three fundamental human needs: the craving to be right, to be liked, and to possess might. Leaders must undergo emotional maturation and pursue vertical development to effectively dismantle the ego, enabling them to engage and operate from the realms of wisdom, love, and power.
Humility: Humility is to be grounded, of the earth, and fundamentally human. Humility is not a skill to acquire but a state to embody. Grounded in the essence of humanity, it signifies acknowledging equality with others, standing eye to eye and shoulder to shoulder without claiming superiority or inferiority.
Showing and Opening Up: In leadership, embracing Ken Wilbur's Integral theory involves the imperative to wake up, grow up, clean up, and, notably, show up. Central to this is opening up, a vital aspect of awakening to the present moment, integrating past experiences and fostering genuine connection. Opening up entails engaging the heart, enabling leaders to perceive situations from diverse perspectives with discernment and detachment.
Conscious Leadership: A transformative journey from self-centeredness to life-centeredness. Our identities become more porous as we evolve, shifting from a singular focus to embracing multifaceted versions of ourselves. In navigating today's complex world, characterized by agility and innovation, leaders succeed in transcending ego-driven resistance, fostering a more porous and spacious mindset that enables adaptability, innovation, and compassionate collaboration.