The Wintering of Leadership

The term wintering was made super popular two years ago when the writer Katherine May published her book Wintering. It is a beautiful book and I’d recommend it if you are a leader who likes to read and is giving serious thought to the planet and how we interact with it for a more hopeful future.

We are as a civilisation returning to learning to live in harmony with our planet, the seasons, the changing weather. Because we have to. That we're caught up in an economic model that would have everyone striving for more all the time, to make hay (money) while the sunshines. We've become obsessed with living longer, staying well, being resilient so we can work harder and for longer. We know from many studies that we have a burnout epidemic in certain countries as individuals strive to keep the light going and push through wether they have the reserves or not. To consider themselves plugged into some energy network, like a computer that can be switched on or off at the push of a button.

But humans are not like computers. We have reserves, they get used, we need to top them up. And winter is the perfect season to hit that reset button. Not only does it offer the end of a year in which to inspire reflection on the year that's past. It's also the time when alot of people take time off to be with their families and friends, reconnecting to what matters. It's also the darkest season, so theres opportunity to be 'out there' doing and more reason to be 'in here' being.

As leaders we need to be aware of our own resources, our team's resources and our company's resources. To have a view of what optimum health looks like within our working world. To know where to pull back rather than push on. When to say hell NO rather than errr yes. To find a rhythm of reflection that works within the business for the people, in order to sense better when push means stop and stop means saunter.

Better improved performance comes from well resourced resources - and that includes your people, including yourself.

Regenerative leadership will soon be in everyone’s coffee conversations. As will the need to shift our leadership to one which considers mother earths resources more responsibly which is now a very real priority for all of us.

One aspect of regenerative leadership, is rekindling our connection to nature of which I’m a big fan. I take my inspiration from the Daoist approach and Five Element philosophy I studied for several years. Each season has a wisdom that can direct us to better wellbeing and better sanity. Why wouldn't we want to embrace that wisdom for our businesses and the people within it?

The gifts of winter

The first challenge is to start to notice the seasons. Get curious as you gad about. What do you notice in the season we’re in? What does nature tell you? I always look to the plants, trees and the weather to begin with. What action do you notice they're doing? Are they being or doing? If they're doing something, what's the direction of their energy? How is the light? What does the temperature suggest?

Winter is the season of most darkness (in the western hemisphere).

Winter is the coldest season.

Winter is the season when (most) tree’s let go of their leaves and return their resources to the ground to compost for next year’s growth.

No growing happens above surface in Winter.

Winter light is low and ethereal as the sun sits lower in the sky.

Winter is a time for hibernation for many species (look to the wild animals).

Winter is the season we have to be the bravest; dark nights, short days, cold snaps, challenging weather. There's more to be afraid of.

We gather around warmth and fires in Winter.

We seek out more comfort food in Winter.

There are less gatherings so we socialise more thoughtfully in Winter.

In Five Element wisdom, winter is the season of reflection. It’s a time for going within, not looking outside. A time to reckon with yourself about what's working and what isn’t. Where do you need resourcing and what might you need courage for the season or phase ahead.

It’s also the season represented by the element water, which teaches us to follow the path of least resistance. Water is also transformation. It can be ice, water, steam.

So how might we translate that into wintering wisdom for more effective leadership?

Wintering wisdom for leaders

1. Reflection: How might you take more time with yourself, your team, the wider business to reflect on what’s working and what feels challenging?
2. Rest: Can you create pockets of rest within the day to day work? Slow meetings down by taking a longer check in to connect. Make sure there's longer between meetings so people arrive feeling refreshed not rushed.
3. Resilience: Where might you need to cultivate more courage and strength to face the challenges coming your way? Take time to consider the big threats that loom on the horizon, changing workforces, climate change, AI, economic instability. How might you prepare to resource the business to be able to deal with what might come?
4. Letting go: What might you need to let go of that’s no longer serving the optimum health of the business? How will you know if you're not reflecting on the bigger picture?
5. Resourcing: What do you need to resource the foundations of your business or team to set them up for better success come the spring months?
6. Connection: What small things can you do to create pockets of warmth in the way that you bring your people together (so that you’re not only focussing on task)? Consider socialising that is nourishing, a food experience, a team walk, theatre/comedy nights, doing something different like a cookery course.

As always, let me know what this brings up for you, perhaps winter means something different to you?

Warmest of wishes, Jennifer x