Pilates and Leadership

I am so grateful to be in my Pilates classes again. And, as my Pilates coach, Lisa Bettini Moro with PACE Pilates, was explaining how to rebuild my strength, it made me think about building strong leadership.

Here is Lisa’s explanation to build strength and resilience:

As a corrective exercise specialist for over 20 years, my main job has been helping people restore the balance in their bodies to heal from physical pain and injury. This requires teaching balanced spine, called "neutral" spine, in order to correct postural imbalances that cause pain over time. When the spine is in neutral alignment, the natural curves of the spinal column are present and the deep, stabilizing muscles of the "core" automatically engage as a result of the position. This results in a level of stability and power in the spine that is not only sounder, but feels efficient and effortless, because the harmonious postural balance allows the body to function without fatigue or tension. 

The deep, intrinsic muscles of the core are not muscles we need to consciously, deliberately fire, like the skeletal muscles we use to move our limbs. The most amazing part of neutral spine is that the body "knows" innately to engage these inner support muscles simply by our vertebrae being in the proper alignment. However, most people have a hard time trusting this natural strength at first and, instead, continually attempt to "muscle" their spinal posture by overuse of the outer body muscles. Because this doesn't allow the inner muscles to authentically fire, it never results in the necessary uptraining of the core that will support their whole body properly from the inside-out. This makes it much harder for them to balance their posture, get stronger, heal, and operate at their physical best. Eventually, the day comes in which they finally "get" true neutral spine position in an exercise and experience strength and ease occurring naturally and simultaneously! THAT is the moment when they begin to get fitter and healthier and are never the same again.

Lisa’s words remind me of what true leadership means. As Stephen Covey and many other leadership gurus have said, “Character (and therefore leadership) comes from the inside out--not the outside in. I have noticed many leaders who work so hard to be what they see as successful in the external world. Covey called this their adopted “personality.” Sadly, those leaders never are intrinsically driven. They are not solid and grounded. They are unaware of, therefore, unaligned with their core beliefs, values, and purpose. They never trust their internal wisdom.   They instead “muscle” their way through leading by being what they feel might “look successful” or be pleasing to others. This outside in approach results in their appearing quite superficial and unpredictable—their leadership is based on the whims of those around them rather than from within themselves. 

As Lisa coached me, I came to realize that--when I stopped focusing on the outer muscles and instead intentionally concentrated on the inner core muscles around my spine--the exercises were so much more natural to do, and I was saying “hello” to my own inner strength. 

Leadership is like this. It doesn’t have to be so hard. Just be true to yourself. Be in alignment with what you believe in. You will be an effortless leader. This is where your power is.