The Ontological Leader

Maria Marc

The Ontological Leader invites us to open the covers of our life, so we can find the marvels inside. It invites us to explore our life as an ongoing narrative, where we can constantly refine the inner landscape of our being. The human soul is the hidden side of business. read less

Growing up and Cleaning up - A bridge from Money to Meaning with Grant Hunter
Aug 27 2022
Growing up and Cleaning up - A bridge from Money to Meaning with Grant Hunter
Learn how to plug into deeper purpose at work to deliver more positive impact to the world.   Grant Hunter is a serial entrepreneur, author and educator with over 25 years of experience in the U.S., Japan, and Peru. Based out of Silicon Valley, he’s been involved in a variety of e-business activities for a Fortune 500 company and a boutique marketing startup he helped launch and later sell in San Francisco called INBOX Marketing, and in his role as Founder/ CEO of Microfranchise Solutions (MFS).   It was through MFS that he promoted replicable enterprise solutions to poverty in the developing world in Peru and over 30 countries. Higher purpose has been the through-line of his own evolution in his role as a social entrepreneur over the last 10 years and now working with companies as a purpose and impact advisor at Syntropy, where he helps others lead lives of purpose, authenticity, and service.   You'll discover... A model of inside-out change moving from the individual to the collective. A method of mind-body-spirit-soul cross-training at work. The relationship between purpose, leadership, culture and impact. How your deepest purpose leads to your greatest contribution.   More about Grant's work: From Money to Meaning book (Complimentary e-book Offer) Grant's website Toolkit Courses, Books, Coaching Contact: info@syntropycenter.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantmhunter/
Meaning is a far more satisfying pursuit than happiness, with Anantadev
Sep 6 2020
Meaning is a far more satisfying pursuit than happiness, with Anantadev
“We don’t work in a production line any more for the most part, and I don’t think in the current workplaces that we have, this nine to five, Monday to Friday, is the way that it should work. I don’t think it does work… largely, we have moved away from like production work, industrial work, to more creative work…. even tech work is very creative work. To me creativity means space. You can’t schedule creativity.” - Anantadev   Growing up in the outskirts of London, Anantadev found himself surrounded by poverty, crime, and segregation. He understood that the world around him was not quite right, but for years, he simply watched, feeling helpless. This was his adolescence, and although he may not have known it at the time, all his rough-and-tumble experiences were preparing him for a higher calling. Every time he faced something traumatic, he was also facing his inner growth, and slowly but surely, questions arose within him – deep, meaningful questions that would guide him towards his path.   Today Anantadev is a wisdom teacher, personal development coach and thought leader in the field of inner transformation. He also serves as a Bay Area CEO at the forefront of social change philanthropy.   Highlights from this episode Outer achievements, lack of balance [3:20]Outdated systems [6:04]Toxic masculinity [9:15]Exploitation, property [11:20]Balancing masculine and feminine values [14:15]Inner ethics, outer ethics [18:00]Race to the bottom [21:25]Shadow, fears, growth [26:30]How we find our greater cause [30:10]   Quotes “When you look at things as property… land, assets, human beings -as they did in the past… inherently you take away the rights of the things that you are looking at.” [11:27] “We have to reassess our value system, and it’s not about getting to the top, but rather how you are striving to grow and achieve things.”  [15:30] “Meaning is a far more satisfying pursuit than happiness.” [37:00]   Anantadev’s website: https://anantadev.com Maria’s website: https://remoteclo.com
Men Who Feel, with Mark Guay
Jul 14 2020
Men Who Feel, with Mark Guay
“In the infancy stage of development, boys have more emotional reactivity than girls. Once a boy gets around the teenage years… almost every westernized man, have some story in their life where they’ve been deeply shamed for expressing emotions. Men were shamed around sadness, but women were shamed just as much, typically around anger, … clean anger is hard for anyone to express." – Mark Guay Mark Guay is a meditation teacher and performance coach based in San Diego, California. He combines developmental psychology with the ancient art of the chakra system to unlock your unlimited potential and lead a life with greater purpose, energy, and connection.  Highlights from this episode What does it take for a human to feel [4:20]Sharing feelings with a man vs sharing feelings with a woman [6:45]What we need to unlearn from our conditioned childhood [9:25]What happens when a man opens up in front of other men [11:18]What does it mean when a man says ‘I just don’t cry’ [13:40]What men can do if their emotions have been silenced for too long [17:38]What could women do to hold space for emotional expression [19:10]What would it take for men to safely honor emotions in the workplace [24:45]How to interact with emotions in five steps [29:24] Quotes “It’s a minority still out there… particularly in leadership roles, for people to have this embodied high emotional intelligence.” [16:50] “The human being does not stop developing after the physical body develops… you can continue to expand and grow, it’s an infinite game.” [22:36] Resources mentioned in this episode: Robert Kagan’s theory of Adult Development Drama Triangle Men Talks Podcast The Mankind Project Transformation Through Intimacy Book Nature and The Human Soul Book More about Mark Guay Mark’s websiteJoin Mark’s Men CircleMeditate with Mark on InsightTimer  Maria's website: https://remoteclo.com
Building Character and Way of Being - the Path to Authenticity, with Marc Lesser
May 9 2020
Building Character and Way of Being - the Path to Authenticity, with Marc Lesser
“Mindfulness in some way is cultivating our attention, our way of being, that can be a doorway to our own emotional lives, and then our emotional lives can be a doorway to cultivating our leadership ability and toward the possibility of creating great cultures…positive, healing cultures.” – Marc Lesser Marc Lesser is a speaker, facilitator, workshop leader, and executive coach. He is known for his engaging, experiential presentations that integrate mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices and training. He is the author of 4 books, including Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen, and CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company.  Highlights from this episode Developing our character is about developing our way of being, or state of mind [7:00]How one develops character, to be able to stay open in times of change [8:00]There is no avoiding discomfort [12:00]Three leadership lessons from Winston Churchill on how to deal with change [12:15]The seven practices of a mindful leader [15:45]The power of not being an expert [21:00]We are in the midst of an enormous transition period [25:30]Self-awareness is the starting point of any change [27:15]All our systems are built on greed and fear …we need systems based on care and fairness [28:30]Men live 10 years less than women [29:30]How to be more resilient when faced with change [31:50] More about Marc Lesser Marc helped develop the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself (SIY) program within Google – a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training for leaders which teaches the art of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and business savvy for creating great corporate cultures and a better world. He founded and was CEO of 3 companies and has an MBA degree from New York University. Marc was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for 10 years, and director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the western world. He leads Mill Valley Zen, a weekly meditation group. Website: https://www.marclesser.net Quotes “We are comfort seeking creatures and recognizing that is important…we miss a lot by the unwillingness to be uncomfortable, avoiding difficulty and conflict.” [11:08] “Not sugarcoating in a way is like ‘own your discomfort’, ‘own your fear’…it opens the path towards optimism, towards greater meaning and purpose.” [12:00] “If we are going to change systems and cultures, it starts with ourselves.’’ [26:50] “Strong, wise leadership can heave the possibility of helping to align people and get them excited. If we are all in this together, we can create organizations and cultures that work for the greater good, and not just a handful of people.” [28:30] Books mentioned in this episode: Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen The Splendid and the Vile book Maria’s Website: https://remoteclo.com
It's Time for Change, where do we start, with Alan Sieler
Mar 29 2020
It's Time for Change, where do we start, with Alan Sieler
“The manner in which we observe determines what we observe. But ... how aware are we of how we observe and how we can change that? The only place we can observe from is our Way of Being, which is where our perceptions and attitudes live, many of which are deep-seated and out-of-awareness.”– Alan Sieler Alan is the Director of Newfield Institute. He has designed a world-leading in-depth, comprehensive and internationally accredited coach-training program, the Certified Ontological Coaching and Leadership Program (formerly GraduateDiploma of Ontological Coaching). Alan also works with a network of colleagues in different countries in the delivery of Ontology as a robust business improvement methodology for organizations to enhance leadership capability, eliminate coordination waste and develop collaborative capital as the means to building a high-performance culture. Highlights from this episode How can we refrain from falling into fear and anxiety, in this current COVID-19 pandemic [5:02]What to look for when you stop and listen to yourself [6:50]Difficult times are also times of opportunity [10:33]Artistry exists in everyday life…it doesn’t belong to the elite people [15:25]With ontological design we can begin to notice our internal conversations [18:20]What can we do to become better learners [20:10]Curiosity is a gift… it helps us be better learners [21:00]Ontological self-coaching is very much about self-authoring our way of being [24:04]How to deal with resentment when faced with crisis [5:15] More about Alan Alan has worked with personnel in global and national corporations and government organizations from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, India, mainland China, England, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, and the United States. Information about Alan’s coach training and corporate services can be found at: Newfield Institute (Australia) - www.newfieldinstitute.com.au Ontological Coaching Institute (global) - www.ontologicalcoaching.com.au  Both websites have the same wide range of articles on the applications of Ontology for leadership development, organizational improvement, executive and personal coaching, relationships and personal development. Contact Alan at: info@newfieldinstitute.com.au Quotes “People are complex, and if people are going to change, adjust and adapt to different circumstances, it very much involves them changing their perceptions and behaviors.” [14:16] “People can only lead from their way of being to be more effective as leaders.” (19:00]
Inspiring Accountability, with Elaina Noell - part 1
Mar 19 2020
Inspiring Accountability, with Elaina Noell - part 1
“The secret to inspiring accountability and engagement starts with asking: What makes us human?What drives us toward or away from tasks?What inspires us to give our best?What motivates us to shut down?What, exactly, determines our happiness and fulfillment at work? We begin in the brain, where all experience and engagement begins!” – Elaina Noell Elaina helps organizations design cultures that increase employee engagement, productivity and fulfillment. Her approach focuses on working with human dynamics and neuroscience to positively inspire sustainable results instead of trying to enforce ideals that lead to defensiveness, mutual frustration and disengagement. She recently published her second book 'Inspiring Accountability in the Workplace'. Highlights from this episode What is wrong with traditional accountability [5:15]Why so many people are disengaged at work today [7:30]The pressure for people to live their best lives and do work they love has become a reason to be ashamed, when that’s not happening [8:45]Our brain wants more rewards more quickly, but it’s not always practical [9:25]We need serotonin in the workplace and leaders can produce it, it is non-negotiable for humans [16:25]Accountability is crucial in changing a culture [25:26]Proactive versus responsive accountability [25:50]The results model framework last question [31:20]Why we procrastinate [32:04]What leaders do we need in 2020 and beyond [35:27] Elaina’s website: https://www.inspiringaccountability.com Elaina's book: Inspiring Accountability in the Workplace: Unlocking the Brain's Secrets to Inspiring Engagement, Accountability and Results Quotes ‘What you don’t address you approve” [6:30] ‘We are all just trying to feel like we are contributing meaningfully, like we are good at what we are doing, but it’s not always gonna be every day feeling like ‘wow, I’ve completely lived up to my full potential’…and I think that puts a lot of pressure on the employees and a lot of pressure on leaders [9:10] ‘Surprise recognition is what most spikes the serotonin in employees’ [7:00] ‘Only when an excuse is brought to light can it become part of the solution’ [29:54] ‘Our brain seeks the task that has more actionable clarity because there is more reward associated with it’ [31:52] Maria’s Website: https://remoteclo.com
Step Back and Pay Attention, with Alan Seale - part 2
Feb 29 2020
Step Back and Pay Attention, with Alan Seale - part 2
"The black and white world is easy… life is a thousand shades of gray! When we feel fear, anxiety, or an urgent need to act, our natural reaction is often to go straight to the head to figure out what to do. We look for a way to make everything alright, to find a solution, or to find a way out of what is happening. Unfortunately, this approach usually leads to more stress and anxiety rather than effective response." - Alan Seale In this episode Alan shows us how to use our multiple forms of intelligence we possess, versus being only in the head and intellectualizing everything.   Alan Seale is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker, transformation catalyst, master teacher and mentor to many leaders and coaches, and the founder of the Center for Transformational Presence.   Highlights from this episode The intuitive mind is the larger mind, of which the intellect is just one small part [3:17]Whole-mind thinking and whole-being awareness [5:30]The belly intelligence lives only in the present moment [7:15]How to discern what to pay attention to in the moment [11:50]How do we understand the journey of our lives? [17:00]HOW is a paralyzing question, how to shift away from it? [18:30]Intellect does not go away when we listen to our other forms of intelligence [18:11]Learning to listen with all our senses in life and leadership [31:25]What is intuitive leadership [35:11]   Alan’s work mentioned in this episode https://transformationalpresence.org Transformational Presence: How To Make a Difference In a Rapidly Changing World, by Alan Seale Create a World That Works: Tools for Personal and Global Transformation, by Alan Seale From Fear to Love, Head to Heart, Start in the Belly   Quote “The intellect lives in the short term, is more focused on problem solving, on what needs to be fixed, what needs to happen right here right now… for short term gain. The intuitive mind is speaking to us, showing us information about a much bigger picture than the intellect alone. It’s not one or the other… we must enter the world of discernment – the wisdom to recognize the better path…what will serve in the bigger picture the most.” [10:01] “If our leaders would first ask the question ‘What are we learning right now?’ as opposed to pushing against the other side constantly, that already would make a change. If we could listen for ‘what is in services of the space where everyone wins, where everyone gets at least some of what they need’!” [32:10] Maria’s Website: https://remoteclo.com
Step Back and Pay Attention, with Alan Seale
Dec 7 2019
Step Back and Pay Attention, with Alan Seale
“Transformation is a shift in vibrational frequency or pattern… Our biggest assignment in this life is to pay attention, so that we constantly are expanding our awareness… The future belongs to those who can listen to it, follow it, to where it’s asking us to go, to recognize that there is something that is wanting to happen… The intuitive mind is the larger mind, the intellect is just a small part of that large intuitive mind…” – Alan Seale Alan Seale is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker, transformation catalyst, master teacher and mentor to many leaders and coaches, and the founder of the Center for Transformational Presence. In this episode Alan shares with us few tools for conscious and transformational leadership, but most importantly, he teaches us how to pay attention to how we show up to life, and how that impacts everything we do.   Highlights from this Episode How are you showing up? What do people experience when they are around you? [4:26]What is to live life from transformational presence [7:07]Understand how you pay attention [8:45]What it takes to embody transformational presence [11:40]How to step beyond the HOW question [14:19]‘Push against or partner with’ exercise [20:11]How to dismantle a problem/situation with ‘the four levels of engagement’ [25:00]How can you lead from transformational presence [33:00]   Alan’s work mentioned in this episode https://transformationalpresence.org Transformational Presence: How To Make a Difference In a Rapidly Changing World, by Alan Seale Create a World That Works: Tools for Personal and Global Transformation, by Alan Seale   Quotes  “Our job in transformational presence is about 'tending the garden'… it’s about creating the optimal culture, the optimal conditions, through which the greatest potential of a situation, of an organization, a team, a family, a system, or a person, can grow, can expand, can evolve.” [7:55] “Our biggest assignment in this life is to pay attention, so that we constantly are expanding our awareness.” [9:40] “Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed.” [17:08] “A problem is not something to be solved, it’s a message to be listened to.” [19:42] Maria’s Website: https://remoteclo.com
Observing Differently & The Power of Ontology, with Alan Sieler - part 2
Nov 21 2019
Observing Differently & The Power of Ontology, with Alan Sieler - part 2
Alan Sieler has more than twenty-four years’ experience as an executive coach, coach-trainer and organisational consultant. Recognised as the world’s leading authority on Ontological Coaching, Alan has written extensively about Ontological Coaching. In addition to this book, his other publications are Volumes I, II and III of Coaching to the Human Soul, as well chapters he has contributed to The Complete Handbook of Coaching (three editions) and Further Techniques in Mentoring and Coaching. As a world leader in advanced coaching, Alan is committed to the development of coaching as a genuine profession. Alan is the Director of Newfield Institute. He has designed a world-leading in-depth, comprehensive and internationally accredited coach-training program, the Certified Ontological Coaching and Leadership Program (formerly GraduateDiploma of Ontological Coaching). Alan also works with a network of colleagues in different countries in the delivery of Ontology as a robust business improvement methodology for organizations to enhance leadership capability, eliminate coordination waste and develop collaborative capital as the means to building a high-performance culture. Alan has worked with personnel in global and national corporations and government organizations from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, India, mainland China, England, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, and the United States. Information about Alan’s coach training and corporate services can be found at: Newfield Institute (Australia) - www.newfieldinstitute.com.au Ontological Coaching Institute (global) - www.ontologicalcoaching.com.au  Both websites have the same wide range of articles on the applications of Ontology for leadership development, organizational improvement, executive and personal coaching, relationships and personal development. Contact Alan at: info@newfieldinstitute.com.au
Observing Differently & The Power of Ontology, with Alan Sieler
Sep 28 2019
Observing Differently & The Power of Ontology, with Alan Sieler
Alan Sieler has more than twenty-four years’ experience as an executive coach, coach-trainer and organisational consultant. Recognised as the world’s leading authority on Ontological Coaching, Alan has written extensively about Ontological Coaching. In addition to this book, his other publications are Volumes I, II and III of Coaching to the Human Soul, as well chapters he has contributed to The Complete Handbook of Coaching (three editions) and Further Techniques in Mentoring and Coaching. As a world leader in advanced coaching, Alan is committed to the development of coaching as a genuine profession. Alan is the Director of Newfield Institute. He has designed a world-leading in-depth, comprehensive and internationally accredited coach-training program, the Certified Ontological Coaching and Leadership Program (formerly GraduateDiploma of Ontological Coaching). Alan also works with a network of colleagues in different countries in the delivery of Ontology as a robust business improvement methodology for organizations to enhance leadership capability, eliminate coordination waste and develop collaborative capital as the means to building a high-performance culture. Alan has worked with personnel in global and national corporations and government organizations from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, India, mainland China, England, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, and the United States. Information about Alan’s coach training and corporate services can be found at: Newfield Institute (Australia) - www.newfieldinstitute.com.au Ontological Coaching Institute (global) - www.ontologicalcoaching.com.au  Both websites have the same wide range of articles on the applications of Ontology for leadership development, organizational improvement, executive and personal coaching, relationships and personal development. Contact Alan at: info@newfieldinstitute.com.au
Brave Leadership and Psychological Capital, with Dr. Senia Maymin
Sep 18 2019
Brave Leadership and Psychological Capital, with Dr. Senia Maymin
Senia Maymin, Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Stanford, is a consultant and executive coach whose clients include Google, Intel, and VMware. Maymin runs a coaching network that provides coaching for upwards of 30 managers at a time to large technology companies in the Bay area. When entrepreneurs and executives seek far-reaching productivity improvements, they call on Maymin as an executive coach and workshop leader. Maymin is the coauthor of the business book Profit from the Positive (McGraw-Hill Professional, 2013), and the co-business columnist for Live Happy Magazine. Maymin has been featured in the media—including PBS’s This Emotional Life, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch, and USA Today—primarily for her work as a positive psychology executive coach. Maymin founded and is editor in chief of a research news website featuring more than 1,000 articles by over 100 authors. She has worked in finance on Wall Street and in technology as cofounder and president of two start-ups. Maymin holds a BA in Math and Economics from Harvard, a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA and PhD in Organizational Behavior from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She speaks Russian, French, and Japanese. She lives with her family in California. Learn more about Dr. Senia Maymin at: https://www.svchange.com https://www.senia.com http://www.profitfromthepositive.com http://www.positivepsychologynews.com Mentioned books: Profit from the Positive Rework The Resilience Factor Maria’s Website: https://remoteclo.com
Mindfulness and the deeper quest for understanding, with Abri Holden
Jun 19 2019
Mindfulness and the deeper quest for understanding, with Abri Holden
Abri Holden specializes in individual and organizational transformation at the crossroads of mindfulness and leadership. She has worked as a leadership consultant and coach by designing, facilitating, and managing global learning experiences for leaders across the globe. Abri currently works at Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI), a mindfulness non-profit born at Google and based on neuroscience. As a teacher and coach of mindfulness, she works with leaders to help them get out of their own way by building emotional intelligence, resilience, alignment, and envisioning what’s possible by shifting perspectives. She also manages teacher development at SIYLI, creating ongoing support for mindfulness teachers. Abri also leads her own private practice as a personal coach, working with individuals who are looking to create more freedom, connection, and aliveness in their lives. Prior to these roles, Abri served as a leadership consultant and coach at Korn Ferry Hay Group, a global consulting firm. Before that, Abri was a senior consultant and the director of Linkage’s Women in Leadership Institute™ and Institute for Leading Diversity and Inclusion™, and as a learning and development manager responsible for company-wide learning, culture and engagement, and organizational development. She is a contributor author for the book, “Mastering Your Inner Critic and 7 Other High Hurdles to Advancement: How the Best Women Leaders Practice Self-Awareness to Change What Really Matters.” She has also served as a researcher for Harvard School of Public Leadership’s “America’s Best Leaders Project” which was published in US News and World Report Magazine. Abri is a certified Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI) mindfulness teacher. She is also a certified coach through International Coach Federation (ICF), which is the governing body for coaches worldwide. She was trained as a Co-Active coach through the Coach Training Institute. She holds a BA in Organizational Communication and Leadership Studies. Websites: https://siyli.org https://consciouswomenrising.com Maria’s Website: https://remoteclo.com