The way we work has undoubtedly changed, bringing an incredible opportunity to examine even more closely our environments, and from that place, consider just what is being communicated to us.
In our busy lives, we can become unaware of the power and influence of this messaging. Messaging that might just be making it harder on ourselves.
Over the last two decades coaching and consulting, I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to work with hundreds of successful leaders across many industries.
Part of my leadership process includes deconstructing the office or environment in which one works, providing an intimate view into my client’s world. I’ve coined this process, the office story.
As a result of these experiences and my previous training traveling the world studying environments, I’ve discovered just how profoundly we are influenced by our environments. And, more profoundly, how we (often unknowingly) influence them. Does an experience like this come to mind for you?
We also now know based on neuroscience just how quickly chemicals are released in the body when cued by external influences. It happens so quickly, in less than .07 seconds, that we’re often unaware of the impact. Valuable inner signals are often missed or dismissed. When external influences cause us to feel stressed, cortisol (the stress hormone) can become quickly elevated.
When these environmental stressors are left unaddressed, we begin to unknowingly discharge that information back into our environments creating a strong feedback loop that can make success more difficult.
When we take the time to explore the stories which are communicated through our environments and how we feel as a result, we can strategically get storied for success in a way that is empowering and deeply satisfying. Rather than one where we continue to repeat the limitations of our past, and experience unnecessary discomfort.
