Knowing

Definition

1) The state of being aware or informed of any thing; 2) Showing knowledge or awareness; 3) Consciousness.

Tips

Acknowledge that we always ‘know.’  What we know in our heart of hearts is how we are being in our external interactions, even if we do not always care to admit it.  We may find clever ways to justify uncomfortable discrepancies between how we would prefer to see ourselves and how we are actually being.  But on some level, we cannot hide from our conscience.

Reconnect with your inner wisdom.  All the answers to all our life questions are ultimately on the inside – even if we may have lost sight of this truth for whatever reason.  As a result, many wind up looking outside themselves for solutions, as if others held better or smarter answers.  Venture into your own core long enough and you will always come up with the answer yourself.

Observe that inner knowing operates all the time.  Whether we realize it or not, inner knowing has been at play in every decision we have ever made.  For many of us, our wisdom operates without our complete awareness.  As long as that is the case, we risk it taking us into potentially unwanted situations.  The key to harvesting its full power is to bring conscious attention to our inner knowing.

Access more of your innate ability.  Einstein is reported to have said that we use only two to ten percent of our ability; imagine how far we could go beyond those figures using inner knowing.  Given the dynamic nature of today’s world, it only makes sense to cultivate a wisdom-based mindset within organizations.  Thinking “outside the box” creates inspired cultures.

Expand your attitude toward alternative forms of business ‘knowing.’  Soul-inspiring leaders recognize that listening to and trusting oneself can help solve problems and improve decision-making, ultimately increasing results.  The need for leaders who can create a different future, rather than relying on tried-and-true formulas, is only increasing.  It only makes sense to achieve high performance through inner wisdom.

Notice what you are noticing.  In effect, this means becoming an observer of your own life.  Imagine taking a helicopter ride above the scenery surrounding you.  Looking down from these heights allows a better view of what is happening in your life.  Allow intuitive insights to come to you by filtering in – not out – information that comes to your awareness from your environment.

Believe you can bring into being whatever you wish to create.  While initially counterintuitive to how we have been taught, each of us possesses a huge capability to manifest whatever we intend to happen in our lives.  Unfortunately, many internalize others’ messages and therefore wind up living the way they think others want it to be for them.  We need to remember who we really are – powerful creators.

Set aside your busy mind’s activity.  We typically spend so much time in our heads at work that it helps to rebalance this overuse of the brain by attending to the messages our bodies constantly give us.  Meditative and reflective practices really help.  Ideally, logic and inner knowing work in unison to make us more effective across the spectrum of our business activity.

Questions For Reflection

How can you apply inner wisdom in your professional role as a leader as well as in your personal life?

What insights have you gained from learning about inner knowing, and how can you apply notions like “noticing” and “intentionality”?

What are some ways you can encourage others in your organization (direct reports, peers, you leader) to trust their inner sense of authority?