Someone asked in our recent survey: How does an ANE leader deal with a superior who withholds information in order to keep power and control? This is a very real issue - at work and elsewhere - and depends a lot on each circumstance.

Clearly, if you know someone is deliberately withholding important information in order to prevent you from doing your job, your responsibility is to cry foul and try to put the situation right. As ANE leaders, we always try to stay grounded in truth, but deal with these things with respect and dignity.

In my experience, this can also be about something independent of our situation: How much of our inner power, our spiritual center, we yield to colleagues because we believe they have more information than us? There can be a tendency to over trust, which when done repeatedly, with someone like a boss, can lead us into looking for half-truths and lies in his or her every word. As ANE leaders we have to be careful of this. When we have these anxious thoughts of being controlled, it's best to get back in balance by tapping into the calm, confident, and connected person we truly are. From that perspective we have all our own power.

What's your perspective on this issue? For this week, if you have that uncomfortable feeling that someone has "information power" over you, simply get away physically, or detach mentally, and do something to engage your more centered self. Some people say a prayer or do a quick meditation, others call loved ones or friends.

There's no prescribed formula. Such "ANE Engagers" are in the toolbox of the unique spiritually-driven leader that is you. Helping you develop them and be even more successful is ANE's purpose.

Stephen

Calm, Confident, Connected
Growing, Grounded, Grateful

December 6, 2010