Now is the moment to step up as the pioneers of this time

What do we do when we learn that the “Lungs of the World” – the Amazon rainforests - are burning more than ever? When raging wildfires have engulfed millions of hectares in Siberia and elsewhere? 

When I look at desperate postings in world media about what seems an impending doom, it is obvious that more people are waking up and wish to contribute to our common future. It is also obvious that we must not fall into fear and instead light up the way. Change is not always easy even if we believe in both magic and miracles. Nature is like the feminine – for generations subjected to abuse and too often trivialized and even dismissed.

Our work to expand and give value to anything feminine is monumental and it is time it is committed to in an entirely new way.

Could it be that we have spent our entire existence preparing for this time and that now is our moment?

What does it take to bring about change?

It is in small things that we show character and fearlessness, which in the first place began changing our mindset and behaviour.

Here is a story from WIN: A few years ago I put the word “CARE” in the Global WIN Conference’s title. Shortly after announcing the overarching intention, one large company with whom I was working, contacted me to ask whether I had considered using a copy editor for my articles, as English was not my mother tongue. She said “CARE is not a word used in companies. I explained that I knew the meaning of the word perfectly well and my proposal was to bring more care, collaboration, empathy and heart into the work and the leadership approach that I was striving to establish, along with a harmonious balance of focus, structure, results and productivity.

At that time, the world was coming out of a major banking crisis and it is my firm belief that caring rather than personal gain would have been a virtuous idea.

Care has nothing to do with business she said. I told her that I think it has everything to do with business.

Imagine if we all really cared? 

What do you do when you are under pressure? When your integrity is at stake?

Here’s what I did. I was petrified of losing the funding because I had already made important commitments to empower hundreds of women that needed to be paid for. The temptation to change my ways was high. At that time I even began doubting myself. I felt terribly conflicted and torn between wanting to support her on one hand and be congruent with my beliefs on the other. I also felt, I must admit, the need to be liked and validated by her and the large company. After much soul-searching, I knew I couldn’t give in and I stuck to my truth. The partner left WIN, at least for a few weeks, and interestingly came back to work with us.

I know so many of you personally, for so many years, and can safely say that both incredible strength, caring and kindness is the way for you. The hard truth is also that there are so many really kind people who have either forgotten who they really are, or are too scared to speak up, afraid of being judged or shamed.

With #metoo, it has made it easier to speak up and climate change is on everyone’s mind. Now is the time for a stronger commitment despite the patriarchy being deeply rooted and most people feeling uncomfortable about change.

So what can each of us do to accelerate the transformation?

This is a community of pioneers and game-changers. I am sure you agree that when we bring about something new, it is easier to do so when there are people around you who believe in you and lift you up when it otherwise could have been easy to give up.

Likewise, working with people who share a common purpose and vision ensures that our projects are accelerated and executed gracefully.

So why is the GLOBAL WIN so relevant in these times? At WIN we build bridges. We grow, we learn, we build relationships and do business with purpose and make a difference in the world. The women and men who come to GLOBAL WIN are testament to this.

This is what some women felt after being a part of WIN.

“I feel at home and remember who I am.“

“I found my tribe and feel I belong.”

“I found renewed hope.”

“I feel inspired to take on the world.”

“Being connected with other women makes me feel confident and creative.”

“Everything feels possible.”

I don’t know about you, but I am certainly more confident when I feel, sense, and am empathically connected to others, myself and my own intuition. It doesn’t feel equally safe to be in a world of concepts and thoughts. 

It is from that place of belonging that we connect to our wisdom and to our power. Fearlessness kicks in and we make our leaders accountable, we hold our own choices high and as such we transform the world at an accelerated pace.

Staying calm in turbulent times could also be your contribution today.

We are the pioneers of our time. 

I ask you to be a part of the Global WIN - support me in supporting you as we gather in Athens on 2-4 October.

With love and courage,

Kristin Engvig

This article first appeared in WIN Inspirer 29.8.2019

Be a part of it: We encourage you to join the Global meeting in Athens on 2-4 October and various other initiatives listed below. If you wish to donate to WIN's activities, sponsor an event, become an ambassador, it would mean a lot. www.winconference.net

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Kristin Engvig is the pioneering founder of the Global WIN (TM) - a global leadership initiative - modeling, empowering, developing and connecting people and organizations in a feminine, authentic and global way through forums and learning programs worldwide. She leads the global leadership journey at WIN and writes, consults and speaks on authentic and feminine leadership, diversity and inclusion, global consciousness and creativity. She began empowering women and gathering empowered women and the organizations they are part of more than twenty-five years ago and her vision has rippled across the planet touching thousands and thousands of people. She works with men and women of all ages and backgrounds to create a world that works for all.

?ABOUT The Global WIN 

Founded in 1997

We at WIN work to get a critical mass of conscious women into decision making roles, to progress careers, to create companies with the highest values, encourage and support more women in politics and in business, as well as giving space for artists and activists. We also know it is not only about women. We, therefore, work to develop ourselves on the inside, contributing with our authenticity, with our hearts and integrating feminine values, supporting each other in making dreams come true. We work globally and we work with men. That is what creates a win-win situation moving forward that benefits everyone. Solving the many challenges of our time requests your compassionate leadership and your vital passion to sustain it. WIN runs women’s preferred leadership forum, the WINConference. It also holds a WINCorporate networking and learning group, runs the WINCommunity and the WINdevelopment fund.For more information on WIN please visit our website www.winconference.net or write to us at [email protected], and tweet #WINConference.

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