Leadership Embodiment: How the Way We Sit and Stand Can Change the Way We Think and Speak

by Wendy Palmer, Janet Crawford

Many leadership books present models for thinking and speaking, but very few address the role of the body in leading effectively. Yet, a great deal of the effect we have on others is carried by our physical presence. Our body postures hold the key to lowering emotional reactivity, while increasing our power, resilience and flexibility. Leadership Embodiment delivers a practical “user’s guide” for effective embodied leadership, enabling practitioners •Project a powerful, open and expansive leadership presence •Create an inclusive atmosphere for collaboration and team work •Receive feedback and listen from a place of open curiosity, and•Stand their ground and speak the truth in the face of pressureLeadership Embodiment techniques are based on principles from the non-aggressive martial art of Aikido, mindfulness practices, and posture awareness. They are designed to mitigate the impact of the stress and intensity inherent in leadership and daily life—like getting through a traffic jam, a promotion, a wedding, the loss of a job, winning a competition, making a production deadline, rallying a team after a loss, or making a product pitch. All leaders, be they CEOs, line supervisors, parents, consultants, care givers, administrators, teachers, coaches . . . can use these simple practices to learn to act with power, skill, and compassion.In part one of the book, Wendy Palmer offers simple postural practices that broaden our perspective, enhance interconnection and build confidence, accompanied by illustrations by Jen Mahoney. In part two, Janet Crawford pulls from cutting edge research in neuroscience and evolutionary biology to offer a biological explanation for the efficacy of the Leadership Embodiment techniques.

Genres: Leadership, Psychology, Nonfiction, Business

204 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2013

Reviews

[Gonzalo Álvarez Marañón · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has two parts: the first one, written by Wendy Palmer, explains different body exercises to gain confidence and radiate presence. The ideas are powerful, but they're shallowly covered. It looks like a brochure to get people enroll to her courses.

The second part is written by Janet Crawford. She gives the scientific evidence behind Palmer's proposal. It's very illuminating and for me, the best part of the book.

Summing up, it presents a new approach to communication, much in the line of Amy Cuddy's Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, but with a new twist from an Aikido life-long practitioner. It's a good reference, although somehow incomplete. It mentions once and again their courses and gives too few information to be really useful. It reads more like a promotion brochure than an autonomous book.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership Embodiment by Wendy Palmer is short but powerful book about how our body postures are key to lowering emotional reactivity while also increasing our power, resilience and flexibility. The first half the book reviews somatic practices for inclusiveness, listening and speaking, and the second half discusses the the science behind the embodiment practices.

As I was reading the the first half of the book, I realized that many of the exercises require being in a physical space with others. This made some concepts a little challenging to comprehend while by myself, but I don’t think it took away from the essence of the book.

I appreciated the clear distinction between “Personality,” our default reactive patterns, and “Center,” our more interconnected perspective. I found this to be a simple and useful way of checking-in on myself: am I reacting from my patterns or am I in a centered state of being? I quickly realized that this could be exceptionally helpful as a practice for my coaching clients in order for them to become more of aware of their reactive patterns and body shape.

Throughout the book, Palmer refers to our “personal space” and how it’s mapped to our brains, which was familiar to me. I love how Leadership Embodiment practices extend this to an “expanded personal space” which includes others and the environment around them. As Palmer states, “an effective leader’s team” doesn’t consist of “other people;” they are actually an extension of themselves. I feel this concept could be used well beyond leadership into friendship, family and community spaces.

Palmer also includes simple practices on how to become more centered such as the 20-second centering practice. It includes a focus on breath, grounding with gravity, balancing personal space and evoking a quality—all with the intention of increasing willpower and changing perception. I think this is one of the most powerful tools mentioned in the book.

There is also a 5-second version if this practice, which makes it even easier to practice repeatedly throughout the day. Palmer encourages frequent repeated practice in order to overcome homeostasis, which is our bodies resistance to change. Since completing this book, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own centeredness and using these practices to support my Center.

There were many other smaller gems throughout the book such as “over engaging while listening” e.g. continuously nodding, which is a reactive Personality listening pattern. I still do this all the time! Instead of over engaging, Palmer invites us to shift to Centered Listening, which focuses on what is being shared rather than reaching approval or agreement.

Another gem I found particularly inspiring was the exercise to develop a felt sense of support, which involves shaping your personal space into a wedge, saying your declaration and inviting your posse and inspiration to energize you. This seems like it could be very useful for myself and my clients in situations where additional support is needed for speaking up.

The last third of the book was interesting as it provided the scientific basis for LE practices, but I found it less engaging because of its more technical language. Regardless, it was really helpful to understand that these practices are based on how our body actually works and not just something that was made up by the author.

Finally, I wanted to make a general comment on the title: while the book is titled Leadership Embodiment, all of these skills are applicable to anyone who’s working on their communication skills. It could have been titled Relational Embodiment and perhaps it would have reached a wider audience.
I’m really glad to have chosen this title for my bookshelf and will return to it frequently for both myself and coaching clients who are seeking embodied relational practices to deepen their communication and leadership skills.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting in terms of ideas, but doesn't look very practical. It is more of a description introduction to a training the author does

But still can be useful as an introduction to how working with body can override fight or flight patterns.

Author says that her work is based on Aikido principles and she has more lengthy book, so probably this one is not the best to start exploring her work

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of Wendy Palmer to date.

[Bryce Gilleland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great balance of eastern philosophy, practice toola, and scientific support

This book is a great balance of science, practice tools, and Eastern philosophy that will help anyone be a more holistic person, and in more control of their lives.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful book on the somatic experience of leadership with specific exercises to develop leadership presence.

[Yehor Kachanov · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about leadership. And the important part is that it's very practical and has a rare focus on your somatic part to show up as a leader.

[Valerie Oon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very practical set of practices convincingly argued for with biology. It requires that you go into it open to this paradigm, and really commit to the practices, which look simple but really not for the faint hearted - there's a lot you're going to discover along the way, and not all easy truths. Completely worth it though, for its promise. I think it is very important for leaders who want to lead powerfully and in a healthy way.