[Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/448178600404458096/

Theory U has been the most impactful piece of wisdom that I’ve gained over the course of my two years as a Master’s student. This knowledge has allowed me to recognize the innate wisdom that can be created through generative dialogue. Traveling through the U process of opening my heart, mind, and will, in three days alongside my bright classmates, allowed me to reach a more whole, caring and sensible reality. Through observing the movements of my team members, it dawned on me that I have the power within my deepest “Self” to move toward the emerging future I want to create as a Servant leader. I developed a deeper awareness that the spiritual divide that exists within each of us (our inner cynic), will show up repeatedly throughout my Servant leadership journey. My team made me acutely aware that it only takes one bold leader to inspire hope, and that a True Move crystalizes first through our spheres of influence. My team encouraged me to understand my sphere of influence through seeking to understand the people I serve.  Through this process I learned that I have the power to positively influence my sphere of influence toward a bias for hope. My sphere of influence then becomes exponential as the leaders I serve inspire hope within their own spheres of influence. Indirectly, I can inspire an emerging future for the greater good. The generative dialogue with my team created an eco-system awareness within me that deepened my commitment to Servant leadership as a way of being in the world. It was a call to action to nurture my garden and find new ways to grow it. In doing so, within my own microcosm, I would begin to plant the seeds for a more open, inclusive, globally conscious community that fosters Ubuntu for all creatures, the universe and beyond.

ImagineCreateServe wouldn’t have come to fruition without Theory U. As highlighted in my “proposal” post, my Capstone Project is threefold: Reflection, Mentorship, and Execution. ImagineCreateServe encompasses the reflection component of my project. The process of opening my mind, heart, and will to the possibility of what would emerge when I started to create ImagineCreateServe, required me to shut down my fear, judgment, and cynicism. It is my hope that I will continue to imagine the emerging future, create something that will influence the emerging future, and in doing so serve others, hence the name ImagineCreateServe. Any time I’m now faced with a challenge, whether it be a difficult conversation, a disagreement, or embarking on a challenging project, I now have the tools and knowledge to tap into my prescencing capacity to guide me “up the U.” This U Journey is about connecting with a deeper sense of self-knowing and understanding what is holding me back. Right now, what seems to be holding me back as silly as it sounds is the image to use for this post. In the spirit of the intention of ImagineCreateServe, it is random and appears out of place. I invite my readers to open their hearts, minds, and will to the potential for meaning in this image and in all situations and circumstances they face. This wisdom has been life-changing for me and it’s my intention that I can help others grow to face their fears, judgments, and inner cynic with an open heart, mind, and will.

Food for Thought:

1. What obstacles do you face in opening your heart? (voice of cynicism)
2. What obstacles do you face in opening your mind? (voice of judgement)
3. What obstacles do you face in opening your will? (voice of fear)
4. What does “self-knowing” mean to you?
5. What’s currently holding you back and why?