WTF is the Spiral Method and Who is Leslie Jones, Becoming my Best Self

"Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."

— William Faulkner

4:10 a.m., coffee is made, I’m up, fire-place burning, we have guests, I’m trying to be quiet,  this is my time. I’m up at 4:00 a.m. the next two days; it’s what I need to do to accomplish my tasks. I signed up for this and have no “ragrets.”

When I first arrived in Denver, I was told to meet Leslie Jones. We met in a coffee shop, and when we exchanged numbers, I added her under the tag “The Magical Mystical Leslie Jones.” She had energy shooting from eyes, she vibrated, I left thinking well that person is special, but little did I know how special.

A friend of mine was using Leslie to do some “work” with his team and running through what she called games to help them break down barriers and open up about how to improve their work culture. I also knew that Leslie led a men’s group that my friend was a member and shortly after my arrival, I was asked to attend.

I did not know it then, but I was participating in something called The Spiral Method.   The Spiral Method is a process used to break down walls around people to allow them to be their best selves. I’ve now done this work for three years and when Leslie needed a few people to share their experience about how the Spiral Method had impacted their lives, I held up my hand.

Yesterday I was on a panel of 6 people who had been using the method.  Leslie has started a revolution teaching others how to use these tools. She is holding boot camps to share the process and from the number of attendees’s I think she might be on to something.

In Denver, we do a little “woo,” and if I shared with most people what we do how the group does their work, some might say it sounds a little “woo.”  I’m a product of the cornfields of Indiana and truthfully, we never had anything like this “back home.”

I think in business and society, we tend to lead with our head in making decisions. We use the facts; we logically think through and make a move or play based on our logical interpretation of the situation. Most never consider their heart, that is the key to the Spiral Method, it moves the process of life first through your heart and then through your brain. 

The Spiral Method helps to tear down the walls you have built over the years based on your frame of reference. As we have learned, everyone has their truth; we can learn to accept any truth, and also, we can be choosey as to whom earns our time. I’ve learned to only give my time to people that are all in; I don’t want silly surface relationships, I find myself being more choosey as to where my Queen and I spend our time.

The panel was made up of 3 men, and three women, the perceptions of each were a little different, but one question asked resonated with me and I took a stab at answering. The question was how the Spiral Method had changed you as a person? As a writer, I have a written record of the last ten years; I pen my thoughts every day, I can go back and read where my head was from the writings of a specific period.

If you ever bother to read my work from say 4 or 5 years ago, you’ll see a stark difference in my approach to life, joy, and happiness. The Spiral Method has helped me become a better man, but don’t believe me, trust my daughter.

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I met to discuss a couple of things and have a soda pop. As we were talking, she looked at me and said: “Dad, that spiral group thing you are doing has really changed you.”  No longer is her father a gruff uncaring head led person; he’s been transformed into a heart first, caring, judgment-free, and always seeking to improve person. For those of you playing at home, I’m still working on that judgment piece.  

I guess I’m an advocate of Leslie's work. I truly think if this approach, this work can be spread across our country and the world, we will all be kinder gentler humans.  If you care to learn more, visit: https://www.spiralmethod.com/about

This work can transform a company, a group of men, women, a non-profit, and even a community if implemented properly. I encourage you if you are a leader in any area of your life to check out this program and think about learning the art of the Spiral Method. I hope this is the first time you hear about this, I consider myself on the front end seeking out the new and improved ways of life and this, my friends, is a game-changer.

I’m proud of my friend but more excited that she has crafted her work into something that can be shared. The Spiral Method can transform, not just an individual but an entire community, state, country, and world. Cheers, I’ve got to run to spread some love, joy, and happiness.

"Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."

— William Faulkner