What is Relational Leadership?

Our week-long intensive provided ample reading plus embodied experiences to allow our full selves, body and mind, to sense relational leadership. A few general themes emerged from the readings. The relational component is relations to each other as well as to mother earth. Both relationships need to be tended to for inclusive, ethical, and empowering intrinsic values to emerge (Komives, PIRC). Our values affect our ways of being which in turn affects our ways of doing(Henri & Wolfman). Somatic embodiment practices can help tune our entire self (body and mind) to the frequencies of both our community and Earth (Galeano, Moradian, Litzenberg). These practices slow us and allow us to see beyond our frameworks, and require effort and practice and can yield deep generative listening. They have the potential of shifting our values from individual to collective and promoting actionable collaboration and healing for community and earth. When ideas stray too far to the human need to exist or expand infinitely, and away from the natural cycles of life, they wither and corrupt the values cycle of the community. Let it die so the new can emerge. When art is reliant on economic growth it shifts its values to pleasing the funders(Ragdale, Ebrahim, Akomolafe). 

The Leadership component is our actions. When grounded to the mother earth life cycles, leadership is supporting those values through our ways of doing. Sensing, supporting and encouraging our community in true efforts to heal and strengthen all relationships. Giving back relatives and sacred items to heal old wounds (Atalay, Shannon, Swogger). Making space for black culture in urban settings (Pitter). Wholistic values based actions. 

Relational Leadership requires physical movement and presence and we experience our fair share during the seven day intensive. Each morning we gathered to practice self and community embodiment with Shannon. We sensed, connected and became comfortable with ourselves and each other. One challenge for us will be maintaining the connection we forged now that we are back to a remote format. Community embodiment practices seem to rely heavily on physical presence. How can I sense and move to deep listening through the computer? Can what the moment calls for be sensed through a screen? We spent time with Marcus experiencing his practices of love and healing for self and community. I was particularly struck by his Don’t You Feel it Too? Practice. He took the time to slow down and listen to what was beyond the typical. What was called for in that moment. The typical vibes present in a protest vs. barricade scenario is hate meets hate. He brought love to meet hate, and it let people breathe, to smile, to relax and see humanity on both sides for a moment. It's a small kind gesture of healing that is here and then gone but leaves a lasting imprint on one's views. If we all found the courage to bring love and healing the world’s worldview would shift to be more accepting and holistic. 

We had the opportunity to experience collective community ways of doing with Paul and Emily. Seeing their energy and bravery put into action is an empowering template for us. It shifts our view of what is possible. Of the power and reach of building community relationships to help engage positive change. On the last day we got a taste of deep listening with Molly. Another practice that has the potential to bring the community closer and make room for the unknown to emerge. As with all the concepts in this program, much practice is required before we can fully realize our potential. 

So what does relational leadership mean to me? Without question it is rooted in the connections of the self, community, and mother earth. The relational trident. When true to the three, leadership can emerge to support community care, equitable participation, and the proper life cycles. It’s not passive. Engagement is required. Sometimes that is through self action and sometimes it’s through support of others. It can be as simple as a nudge of encouragement. Yes my friend, you can do this. It requires deep listening and honest telling. When we stay within the standard consumer model framework, our view becomes myopic. Our actions self centered. We become detached from humanity and the earth and treat both as objects for use and exploit for pleasure. We are no longer we but I and I do what's best for me. In the mode of I and me, humanity will consume the earth. Leave it barren and unlivable. It is essential that we move to the us and we. Breaking away from I requires practice and effort. We can start by slowing down to listen and observe each other and the earth. By seeking out more knowledge on embodied somatic being, and practicing it. By cultivating relational communities in our local sphere. Relational leadership is the action and energy that emerges from true loving relationships with self, us, and mother earth.