STAYING IN THE FLOW ADRIAN HALES considers how sales leaders can be more creative, compassionate and courageous
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ost of the time in business we lead with our heads. We must evolve as leaders by becoming more creative, compassionate and courageous – so important within organisations, teams and personally. The latest research in neuroscience (see mbraining.com) shows we have three “brains” that allow us to do just that. We have complex, adaptive and fully functional neural networks, or brains, in our heart, our gut and our head. Each intelligence brain has different wants and needs, and when out of balance will create things like stress, conflict, mental burnout, fear and anxiety – which aren’t conducive to high performance. BEING IN THE FLOW When athletes and coaches are “in the flow”, they are alert, calm and focused, allowing them to perform at a consistent level, and remain 16 WINNING EDGE
ADRIAN HALES (FISM) is a professionally certified mBIT trainer and coach. He is an expert in overcoming stress and burnout, rectifying underperformance, and increasing motivation and confidence. He works with new and developing managers, and directors and executives, to help them become compassionate, creative, courageous leaders. Email him at inspired@adrianhales.com or visit adrianhales.com
balanced when doing so. It allows them to excel consistently, makes them more resilient, and increases their wellbeing. Imagine you are a ship sailing for a new destination, and in order to reach it you must remain calm, focused and alert so you make constant progress. Now, imagine that the wind blows only slowly and gently – you won’t reach your destination quickly enough. Next, imagine the wind picking up and throwing you around – pushing you off course and causing fear and anxiety. For you to reach your destination in good time, while remaining stable, you want wind that is neither too slow, nor too fast, but balanced between the two. Flow is the balance between what the Chinese refer to as Yin and Yang. Staying on that balanced path is what they call Tao or Dao. You’ll know when you have been in the flow – perhaps when you last experienced doing a task and time flying by? Or when everything you ISMPROFESSIONAL.COM
