In January of 2000 I was awakened in the night with a clear picture and understanding of the complicated and competitive nature of relationships in today’s workplace. I also received a vision of a new model for leadership which would cause a shift in the workplace culture; one in which relationships are restored to trust and compassion, rather than fear. I could see the need for rebuilding relationships in the workplace by honoring the spirit in ourselves and others so that all people could be restored to their true identities, their inner spiritual greatness. Respect and honor would be returned to the workplace, creating environments where people work in joy and from their highest potential.
As a business consultant and speaker throughout the United States and Canada, I had worked closely with leaders and employees in a wide variety of businesses, organizations, and industries, including hospitals, physician practices, CPA firms, law firms, auto dealerships, banks, restaurants, museums, retirement centers, retail stores, non-profit agencies, school districts, insurance agencies, government agencies, construction companies, chambers of commerce, and numerous small businesses.
These experiences provided a bird’s eye view of the internal workings of so many diverse entities. Although these wide-ranging businesses and organizations had various services and products, they all had one thing in common–an underlying theme that was very disconcerting.
Sadly, I came to realize that most workplaces are filled with misunderstood relationships, emotional turmoil, internal competition, and reactionary dynamics. The complexity of most organizations is escalating; the water is heating up, so to speak. Now more than ever, people feel uncertainty, trepidation, and deep anxiety about their future.
The present workplace environment is fraught with fears and envy, egos competing for validation and attention, managers dis-empowering employees, co-workers hurting and sabotaging one another, and most insidious of all, an underlying fear permeating the atmosphere with insecurity and indecision.
And so great is the fear, most people are afraid to even face it–the elephant in the living room–for fear of recrimination or retaliation. But I ask you to suspend your judgment and consider the possibilities for new levels of business success and advancement if we had an environment of compassion, respect, and freedom. Instead of wasting energy and time with negative emotions, individuals could contribute from their full potential with eagerness and enthusiasm.
Enlightened leaders who recognize that they must release the powerful energy and intelligence of the people in their organizations can build extraordinary workplaces and achieve high levels of business success. But in reality, most leaders do not maximize performance, and instead unwittingly deplete the energy of those they need to drive their financial goals.
I wrote my first book at that time and have now released The Illuminated Workplace: Shining Light on Workplace Culture. My heart and soul are dedicated to help heal the workplace culture through my speaking, workshops, coaching and writing.
Danna Beal, M.Ed., is an international speaker, author, and coach residing in Seattle, WA. Her new book, The Illuminated Workplace: Shining Light on Workplace Culture, is available now. She has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader for over 500 businesses on her new model for enlightened leadership; creating harmony, teamwork, and extraordinary success. Her interest in expanding human potential has been a thread throughout her life. She is committed to helping people everywhere be restored to their authentic selves through a process that illuminates and brings clarity to the drama in the workplace.
Addressing the unrecognized costs to businesses when the work environment is filled with emotional drama and power struggles, she introduces a new model for “enlightened leadership”. Her work rebuilds relationships and increases team building, loyalty, synergism and success. “When every person can contribute in a cooperative environment, businesses succeed at a level unattainable in a competitive, fear based atmosphere.” Her specialty in healthcare was a result of working with medical practices, hospitals, imaging centers, surgery centers and conferences for healthcare executives. She holds a B.A. from Washington State University and a M.Ed. from Whitworth College.
Contact Danna at 425-785-2862 for workshops, keynote addresses and coaching.
