From Tests to Chances: Leading with the Universe

As leaders, we often encounter situations that feel like obstacles or “tests.” But what if these tests aren’t merely challenges to overcome? What if they’re actually?chances—opportunities from the universe designed to help us grow and evolve? The truth is, many of the so-called tests we experience are chances for transformation, waiting for us to tune in and respond.

By rethinking these moments as opportunities, leaders can adopt a growth-oriented approach that not only boosts resilience but also encourages personal and professional development. In this article, I will share how leaders can shift their mindset to recognize these “tests” as chances to evolve. We’ll look at how chakra alignment can help leaders tap into the universe’s subtle signs and share some creative meditation techniques to make this process accessible and practical.

Shifting the Perspective: From Tests to Chances

Leadership brings many high-pressure situations that test our patience, adaptability, and creativity. While it’s natural to view these as obstacles, they’re actually chances for growth. Here’s how to reframe your perspective:

• Mindset Shift: Each challenge is an opportunity in disguise. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” consider, “What is this offering me?” This small shift can change your approach to difficult situations, enabling you to embrace them as opportunities to evolve.
• Building Resilience: Every obstacle provides a chance to strengthen resilience. When leaders view challenges as chances, they cultivate patience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills—all essential for leading effectively under pressure.

As you continue to get the chances, how can you understand the message behind them?

The universe often communicates through subtle signs, repeated patterns, or intuitive nudges. Leaders who tune into these messages are better equipped to recognize chances for growth. Chakra imbalances can influence how you perceive or miss these messages.

Here’s how to recognize these signs and align your chakras to become more receptive:

1. Recognizing Patterns in Challenges (Third Eye Chakra)

The?Third Eye Chakra?is linked to intuition and perception, helping us recognize patterns in our experiences. When balanced, it enables leaders to detect recurring themes that suggest areas for growth.

• Example: If you repeatedly face issues around team collaboration, it may signal a need to enhance communication strategies. Recognizing this pattern enables you to take proactive steps that strengthen your team.
• Practice: Try a?Visualization Walk. As you walk, visualize the challenge as a path in front of you. Imagine navigating the path, considering solutions and approaches. This exercise engages both the Third Eye Chakra for insight and the Root Chakra for grounding.

2. Listening to Intuition (Heart and Solar Plexus Chakras)

While the?Third Eye Chakra?enhances intuition, the?Heart Chakra?promotes empathy, and the?Solar Plexus Chakra supports courage to act on insights. Together, they help leaders tune into and trust their intuition.

• Example: If you’re facing a decision that doesn’t feel aligned with your values, that “gut feeling” may be an intuitive message. Tune into your Heart Chakra for guidance, and draw on the Solar Plexus Chakra for the confidence to act.
• Practice: Try a?Silent Problem-Solving Session?by sitting quietly for a few minutes without actively thinking about the problem. Let your mind rest, creating space for solutions to surface naturally.

?3. Staying Grounded in the Present (Root Chakra)

The?Root Chakra?connects us to the present moment, helping us respond to immediate realities. The universe’s messages often appear in daily interactions and routines, but an underactive Root Chakra can make us overlook them in favor of future goals.

• Example: If team members seem disengaged, that’s a sign to address morale rather than moving on to the next project phase. This chance for connection may reveal deeper insights into team dynamics.
• Practice: Engage in?Sensory Grounding Meditation. Hold a small object, such as a stone or cup, and focus on its texture, weight, and temperature. This sensory focus anchors you to the present and helps you remain open to immediate messages.

?4. Finding Balance Through Receptive Listening (Throat Chakra)

The?Throat Chakra?governs communication and listening. When balanced, it allows leaders to fully hear others, without filtering messages through personal biases. Often, the universe communicates through the people around us, offering feedback that holds valuable lessons.

• Example: A team member offers feedback that feels difficult to accept. Instead of reacting defensively, view it as a chance to learn. This input could reveal an area for growth you hadn’t considered.
• Practice: Try a?Team-Based Reflection Circle. After a project, gather the team and invite everyone to share insights on what they learned. This collective reflection taps into the Throat Chakra by fostering open dialogue and creating a space for shared learning.

?5. Becoming Aware of Emotions and Reactions (Sacral Chakra)

The?Sacral Chakra?is connected to emotions. When balanced, it helps us process emotions constructively, revealing lessons within our responses. Intense emotions can signal areas where we need to grow.

• Example: You feel frustrated with a team member’s repeated mistakes. Instead of suppressing it, explore what the frustration is revealing. It may highlight a need to clarify expectations or develop patience.
• Practice: Use?Role Reversal Reflection. Imagine yourself as the team member you’re frustrated with and try to see the situation from their perspective. This approach fosters empathy and turns emotional responses into opportunities for self-awareness.

6. Paying Attention to Unexpected Opportunities (Crown Chakra)

The?Crown Chakra?connects us to a higher purpose and universal guidance. When balanced, it helps us recognize serendipitous opportunities as messages from the universe, encouraging openness to shifts that lead to new paths.

• Example: A project falls through, freeing up resources unexpectedly. Instead of seeing this as a setback, view it as a chance to refocus on other high-impact initiatives. This shift in perspective turns setbacks into strategic opportunities.
• Practice: Try a?Guided Question Meditation. Sit quietly, ask a question like, “What opportunity am I missing here?” and remain open to any thoughts, images, or words that arise. This connects you to universal guidance and helps you embrace unexpected chances.

Now that you have an understanding of some messages, how can you put them into leadership practice?

To leverage these “tests” as chances for evolution, here are some creative strategies you can integrate into your leadership practice:

• “What’s the Lesson?” Journaling Prompt: At the end of each day, choose a challenge you faced and reflect on what lesson it may offer. This exercise combines reflection with active learning and helps you uncover patterns over time.
• Opportunity-Focused Breathwork: Inhale deeply and visualize breathing in fresh opportunities. As you exhale, release any negativity or frustration. This breathwork exercise shifts your mindset, activating the Solar Plexus Chakra and helping you see obstacles as chances for growth.
• Real-Time Feedback Sessions: Rather than waiting for formal reviews, create opportunities for real-time feedback after meetings or milestones. This keeps engagement grounded in the moment and avoids the disconnect of retrospective-only feedback.

?Path-Forward: Embracing the Universe’s Messages to Evolve as Leaders

?The universe has a way of guiding us through challenges, offering chances to grow and evolve. By tuning into these messages, aligning your chakras, and viewing obstacles as opportunities, you can turn every “test” into a stepping stone for personal and professional growth.

The next time you encounter a difficult situation, ask yourself, “What is this trying to offer me?” By embracing these moments and practicing innovative techniques that align your energy, you’ll not only become a stronger leader but also deepen your connection to your purpose, your team, and yourself.

Every challenge holds a chance—tune in, align, and lead with purpose.

Dr. Zohra (Zo/Z) Damani is an author and a seasoned Talent Development Leader with over 15 years of experience. She is a Certified Coach and is currently undergoing Shamanic Practitioner Training in Scotland. In addition to her coaching credentials, she is a trained Yoga Teacher (Hatha & Yin). Zohra brings a unique blend of expertise and a holistic approach to talent transformation and organizational development, integrating mindfulness, spiritual practices, and personal growth into her professional practice. Her diverse skill set allows her to address the needs of individuals and organizations from multiple dimensions, fostering growth and transformation on both personal and professional levels.