The Guru Leader Within: Ancient Wisdom to Transform Modern Leaders

(Paperback)

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Description

In a clear, linear, sequential system, highly regarded executive coach Susan S. Freeman lays out a transformational path for mainstream western business leaders through ancient yogic wisdom, and guides leaders to become better versions of themselves so that they can create positive change in their organizations.

Despite having a desire to succeed, we are so accustomed to working hard to reach our goals and produce results in the workplace, that many of us sacrifice our deeper humanity in the process. This timely book is ideally suited for the current era of anxiety and global upheaval that has awakened us to our collective dissatisfaction with the status quo. The philosophy of yoga is an ancient, time-tested system that enables us to shift internally so we may continue creating, innovating, and initiating despite pressure and setbacks. An empowering secret is how it enables us to be present, clear, and connected.

Susan utilizes modern vocabulary to share these concepts and simple processes that have been proven effective over several millennia. These yogic principles and practices will transform working relationships from conflict-creating, stress-inducing, goal-oriented, reactive struggles into harmonious, effective, and responsive partnerships. The result will be deeper fulfillment and joy from work, and enable people to see opportunities that were previously hidden. Ultimately, they will feel more confident that they have the right motivations and therefore can trust that they are doing the right things for the right reasons.

Readers will learn:

• How to stay calm, be resourceful, and confidently respond with compassion and equanimity, even under pressure from external forces
• Become an inspiring, effective leader (and a more joyful human) through the timeless principles of yoga
• Discover how to become connected within yourself so that you can always bring your best self to your leadershipand trust it too!
• Create and maintain a healthy culture that values human relationships
• Understand the simple, sequential system that will shift your perspective while developing an internal compass to get you where you want to go
• Adapt confidently to stressful changes and setbacks, while getting off the reactive hamster wheel once and for all
• Embrace a complete integrative framework for self-management from the inside out

There is a strong post-pandemic shift to a more humanistic, holistic workplace with a renewed emphasis on people as much as profits. This book is uniquely positioned to make this shift a reality.

Reviews

We live in extraordinary times that urgently call for a new paradigm of leadership. As Susan writes: Our internal conflicts carry over into all that we do. It is self-evident that conflicted people produce conflicted results and a conflicted world. Leaders in every walk of life urgently need to get in touch with their own true self and bring that authenticity into all aspects of their lives. When they do, they and their organizations will thrive.

Susan has spent decades learning and embodying yogic techniques and philosophy that enable us to connect with our unconflicted true self and bring it into the world in all of our actions. What she has uniquely done is to create a system that integrates this wisdom within the paradigm of leadership. Susan clearly lays out a novel approach applicable to leaders at every level of an organization, as well as across all sectors of society. This book is also for everyone who seeks to effectively be of genuine service to others, including business coaches, teachers, doctors, and lawyers, among others. We highly recommend this ground-breaking book to anyone lookingto create extraordinary results with joy.

Drs. Brian and Mary Nattrass, managing partners of Sustainability Partners, Batten Fellows of the Darden School of Business, and authors of The Natural Step for Business and Dancing with the Tiger: Learning Sustainability Step by Natural Step

As a leadership speaker, business book author, and executive business coach who works with Fortune 100 companies and businesses around the world, I see Inner Switch: 7 Timeless Principles to Transform Modern Leadership as a novel contribution to the leadership field. Susan Freemans methodology guides executives to navigate the complex landscape they work in. There will be receptivity for her methodology both in the United States and internationally, as leaders in many cultures will welcome advice on leveraging the wisdom of yoga to become more effective. Moreover, I am certain that executive coaches will want to include Susans methodology in their toolkits as they work with their clients to help them be moreopen-minded, centered, and effective. Susans book extends theway we lead from something we do to the way we show up.

Rania H. Anderson, founder of The Way Women Work and author of WE: Men, Women, and the Decisive Formula for Winning at Work and Undeterred:The Six Success Habits of Women in Emerging Economies

In an ever-changing, complex global environment, leaders must be masters of transformation. This book explores the hidden truths behind what anyone who wishes to influence others with impact needs to know. As Susan Freeman wisely points out in Inner Switch, leaders are responsible for the quality of energy in an organization. Harmony, co-creation, and impact require leaders who are capable of self-modulation on a deep level.This book offers a blueprint for such development.

Ive known Susan since we attended Columbia Business School together. She, as a friend, has influenced my perspectives throughout my career. I am so proud she has written this book to bring her unique perspective and wisdom to a wide audience. When I read it, I recognized she is offering up a new way of doing business, one that is needed in these times. Every person who influences and leads others needs to read this book.

Masahiko Uotani, president and group CEO, Shiseido Co. Ltd.

I highly recommend Susan Freemans spectacular book Inner Switch: 7 Timeless Principles to Transform Modern Leadership. I couldnt put it down. This extraordinary exploration of critical leadership competencies offers Eastern tools in Western language that every businessperson can relate to and easily apply. As a senior executive in a large and prominent value-based, member-centric organization, I find clearing my mind and actively managing my energy to be essential aspects of effectively leading teamsand achieving success.

In easy-to-digest and compelling language with useful case vignettes, this book explains both the scientific why and the practical how of incorporating these relaxation principles into your day and life. To bring out their best and guide them in fulfilling our mission of service to the public, I would love for all of our employees to read this work and practice these techniques. Undoubtedly, those who do will feel less stress, reduce friction in their working relationships, enhance their creativity, andgenerate best-in-class outcomes and results.

Marketa Wills, Chief Medical Officer, Johns Hopkins HealthCare

Author Bio

Susan S. Freeman, MBA, PCC, NCC, is an executive coach, team coach, author, speaker and leadership development consultant. Her approach to Western leadership transformation integrates Eastern wisdom derived from more than 25 years of studying yoga and its philosophy. Susan is dedicated to helping leaders expand their influence and change the world by making the inner switch. Susan received an M.B.A. from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a B.A. degree from Wellesley College. In addition to Inner Switch: 7 Timeless Principles to Transform Modern Leadership, she is the author of Step Up Now: 21 Powerful Principles for People Who Influence Others. She is an accredited Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, the largest coaching body in the world.