How to talk to yourself and how THAT is a the key of being a powerful leader?

If you see someone talking to himself or herself, you probably will give him or her a wide berth. Crazy, right?

Maybe not. Maybe she or he just wants to be a good leader. More precisely, a POWERFUL leader.

Yes, you need skills and training. An MBA won't hurt and if you have the support of your family and friends, that will be so helpful. However, a real and powerful leader requires more than that. Much more.

How much more? In fact, only the leader can know that, and for it, the leader requires sometime inside his own heart and head to understand the self.

If you are that leader, you can use many methodologies, according to the need and to your own personality:

• Time of solitude. For some people, that is enough. Just sometime alone and he or she is able to figure out many of the questions popping into the mind, or finding those slippery solutions. It is important to tell everyone who needs to know that you will be performing this exercise; if you feel shy to say that you just want sometime alone, just go somewhere else. Ah, don't forget to switch off all gadgets!
• Writing is understanding. Some people like to write. Peter Senge said at some point just allow the pen to flow on the paper. If you are high-tech, the equivalent will be to allow your fingers fly over the keyboard; anyway, writing clears the mind and allows many realizations to emerge. Merging solitude and writing can work most of the time, otherwise just be aware to write at a place that people will respect your time to do it.
• Talking to yourself. If you have the time and space, hearing your own voice can help you to understand your attitude and mental patterns. Perhaps, you can find a good listener who is able to nod to you from time to time, but allow you to do all the talk. No need to say to avoid public spaces using this technique...
• Contemplating. If you can, chose a beautiful natural spot, or just the view from your window. And stare at it. Allow your mind to flow freely, with no guide or schedule, and merge into the landscape you are watching. Background music can be useful, but again, tell others about what you are doing, otherwise they will wonder what is going on with you. Sometimes, during contemplation, you will have excellent ideas. Try to not write them, but use other skills like drawing, as that will help the idea to emerge in a more powerful way.
• Meditating. Meditation is a powerful tool - it is my favorite way to talk to myself. Check a further post on Meditation for leaders.

After this exercise, share. Share with some friend, people who collaborates with you or some colleagues. Enjoy the feedback and feel the power in your leadership.