Inner Work
I started writing in response to what Parker J. Palmer defines as “inner work” in his book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation.
As opposed to the outer work of our vocations, obligations, or hobbies, inner work is the work of attending to our spirits. I felt called to write. I felt (and ignored) this calling for some time, allowing it to wander about with me like a devoted pet. Finally, I listened.
While it might seem that outer work is a requirement of life and inner work is optional, that is not true. Inner work links us to our emotions, spirits, and the places in our gut that drive our actions. Engaging with or leading others without attending to this shadow side of ourselves is irresponsible. It leaves us flying blind.
Inner work is the activity that allows us to identify (and face) our fears and insecurities.
This is incredibly important in leadership. Fear is an emotion that compels us to act. And, it is deceptive. From the outside, this call to action may seem very much the role of the leader. But action…as the result of fear…comes with bias. Biased thinking is intimidated by new, innovative, or inspired thought. Or ideas that are incomplete.
I witnessed this recently. A new to role leader felt compelled to prove his value. He pushed his team to share solutions but had not taken the time to outline expectations or requirements. The session became a free for all and progress was limited. By pausing, acknowledging his fears, regrouping, and taking a more paced approach, without the fear bias, he was able to turn the meeting around.
Inner work comes with a tool kit just like outer work. The tools of inner work are “journaling, reflective reading, spiritual friendships, mediation, and prayer”. Learning to use these tools is essential to become the journeyman builders of our lives.
