detroit soul
It’s been a soulful week at AMC. I was proud but not surprised to see metro Detroit’s innovative business minds collaborate so beautifully with the city’s rich musical talent during the re-opening of the historic Michigan Central Station. When you’re from the birthplace of iconic artists like Diana Ross, and Eminem and innovative geniuses like Henry Ford and the list goes on and on and on, you can’t help but more deeply understand what makes the city of Detroit as resilient, and innovative as it is in this time in our world’s wild history.
All historical evidence suggests that when times are good and when times are at their worst, the Motor City or Motown, as it is affectionately known, permeates this non-tangible thing we call “soul.” I argue you either know what soul is, or you don’t. Let’s define it, shall we?
I like the following definition of soul by Oxford Languages, “Emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, especially as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance.” What I’m trying to say is that the city of Detroit, in everything it does, is an artistic performance of soul.
So how did the city, as a business, create this kind of economic unification bliss point? It’s not necessarily rocket science. At AMC we know it’s because the people leading this positive and deeply profound charge in Detroit right now are operating with high levels of consciousness and self-awareness. These two “soft skills” are the driving forces behind the city’s success.
At AMC, we’ve discovered data that reveals why these two ingredients are overlooked in general business society. Briefly, these skills, while emerging data suggests they are some of the most highly valued, are not fostered and developed at the recommended rate. AMC wants to solve that communication problem.
As business leaders and teams, how often are you assessing your levels of consciousness and self-awareness? First, did you know they are two different things?
According to emotional intelligence expert, Daniel Goleman, achieving consciousness is the first step in becoming self-aware. We can become more conscious through various forms of mediation, which Goleman says is a pathway to self-awareness. Self-awareness allows us to examine our motives and actions (ego) to more intentionally become empathetic and trustworthy. Goleman spent his career exploring how our emotional intelligence or EQ is more valuable, in many ways, than our intellectual quotient or IQ.
Are you ready for the pain point? 95% of people who claim to be self-aware, research shows that only 10-15% of people actually fit the criteria for self-awareness, according to emerging psychologist, Dr. Tasha Eurich. Leaders do not make up the majority of that 10-15%, according to Eurich.
Our AMC Mission is to create and foster empathetic, resilient, and innovative professional communities. We’re doing this by partnering with consciousness or mindfulness experts like Brooke Saffe, at Brooke Saffire Meditations.
All the way from Brooklyn N.Y., and as an introductory takeaway, Brooke offers three simple practices you can activate now to increase your consciousness at the start of this work week.
1. BREATHE
Our breath is our most powerful anchor, and it is often overlooked! Whenever we find ourselves in stressful, challenging moments, we can connect to our breath and reset our nervous systems. When we consciously work with our breath, we open ourselves up to unfold into the present moment. Breath is a simple tool to anchor our minds and recenter our bodies so that we can show up to the world in the most beneficial way.
2. WORDS OF AFFIRMATION
Words of affirmation are simply a mantra, a repeated phrase or word, to aid concentration and improve our sense of self. I use this tool to train my mind, refocus my thoughts and step into whatever it is that I wish to embody. It's such a fun, empowering practice to play with and is truly life-changing! Pick a phrase or word that you'd like to embody. Every day, mindfully schedule moments to repeat it to yourself, either out loud or in your mind. Practice implementing this into your schedule three times a day - in the morning, mid-day and before you go to sleep. Stay committed to one word or phrase until you really feel that you embody it. Choose a phrase that supports what it is you're working towards currently. Some examples are
"I am strong, I am grounded.”
"I am proud of myself."
"I am worthy of success."
"I trust myself. I get things done."
Repeat your word or phrase 5 times in a row, three times a day. Notice the shifts in how you feel afterward!
3. MINDFUL TECHNOLOGY USE
I am all for the benefits of technology! However, in his day and age, it is so important to learn how to use technology intentionally. A beautiful practice is to carve out time away from the screens. Take at least 10-15 minutes every day to shut everything down. Go outside, connect with someone in person...get away from the screen and notice how rejuvenated you feel from this simple practice. When we learn how to mindfully work with technology, we start to have a better relationship with it!
You know and I know it’s time to change the narrative about the need for consciousness. Our AMC 3 C’s Mindful Communication Model™, Consciousness, Communication, Community, is an innovative, research-based model that changes the professional development playing field. At AMC we’re normalizing consciousness in professional society and encouraging mindfulness at work to sustain effective communication in all business communities. Thank you Brooke Saffire, for offering your expertise to us this week!
This spring and summer AMC is on tour. We want to present our interactive learning lab experiences with business leaders like you. We’re partnering with companies that have people-first missions, to carry out the AMC vision: to internationally reinvigorate the trustworthy exchange, by rewriting the narrative about communication as a “soft skill.”
Send me an email today so we can set a date and start planning a meaningful experience. Together.
I look forward to our good work together. Sending gratitude & presence to you.
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Mindfully Speaking,
Anna Michele Bulszewicz
Founder, Anna Michele Communications