Season 02: E09 | AWARENESS: The Inner Compass Leaders Forget to Consult

Are you leading with intention—or just pushing through until your body, calendar, or spirit forces you to stop?In Week 9 of the Take What You Need journey, Dr. Phenessa returns to the mic after an unexpected month of silence brought on by a series of health challenges that took her voice and forced a full pause. In this deeply honest, faith-rooted episode, she explores awareness as an embodied leadership practice—one that lives in your calendar, your nervous system, and your conversations, not just in your head.Drawing from Psalm 46:10, Psalm 90:12, Ephesians 5:15–16, and research on reflective practice and executive functioning, this episode walks you through four dimensions of sacred awareness: God, self, others, and time. You’ll hear how stillness can recalibrate your priorities, why your body is often your earliest and truest warning system, and how awareness protects both your leadership and your humanity.You’ll discover:How a forced season of rest became “lived curriculum” in leadership awarenessThe difference between strategic pause, fearful avoidance, and faithful pursuitPractical reflection prompts and a simple breath practice to return to presenceThree everyday disciplines to build sustainable, reflective leadership habitsThis episode includes a brief poetic reflection, a Grace + Grit moment, guided breathwork, and practical invitations you can start using this week. It’s especially for leaders who are tired of leading on autopilot and ready to honor both their calling and their capacity.Listen when you need:Permission to pause without guiltLanguage to name what your body has been trying to saySpirit-led guidance on timing, rest, and sustainable leadershipA reminder that protecting your humanity is part of your leadership, not a distraction from it.📚 References & ToolsScripture Tools Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Free Bible reading and study tools. https://www.biblegateway.com/Bible Hub. (n.d.). Interlinear and lexicon tools. https://biblehub.com/Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.).Lexicon and word study resources. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Scripture References Psalm 46:10 (The Message) - "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."Psalm 90:12 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) - "So teach us to number our days, that we may cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom."Hebrews 10:24 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) - "And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities."Ephesians 5:15–16 (New Living Translation) - "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these days."Greek Study: katanoeō (κατανοέω) - Strong's G2657, meaning "to perceive clearly, observe fully, understand with fixed attention". Accessible Resource: Blue Letter Bible (www.blueletterbible.org)Greek Study: kairos (καιρός) - Strong's G2540, meaning "opportune time, right moment, divinely appointed season" (vs. chronos - chronological time). Accessible Resource: Bible Hub (www.biblehub.com)Organizational Development & Reflective Practice ResearchSchön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Basic Books.Focus: Reflective practice as foundation for professional excellence, knowing-in-action vs. reflection-in-actionKey Concept: Professionals develop expertise not just through technical knowledge but through reflective awareness of their practiceAccessible Summary: "Teaching Artistry as Reflective Practice" - Harvard Graduate School of Education articles (gse.harvard.edu)Church, A. H. (1997). Managerial self-awareness in high-performing individuals in organizations. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82(2), 281–292. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.82.2.281Focus: Leadership self-awareness as predictor of managerial effectivenessKey Finding: Self-aware leaders demonstrate superior performance across multiple organizational contextsAccessible Summary: Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) resources at www.siop.orgBrown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: Brave work. Tough conversations. Whole hearts. Random House.Focus: Values clarification, vulnerability in leadership, operationalizing courageKey Concept: Clear is kind—clarity in communication and self-awareness prevents organizational confusionAccessible Resources: Free leadership resources at brenebrown.comPink, D. H. (2009). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. Riverhead Books.Focus: Intrinsic motivation, autonomy, mastery, and purpose in organizational settingsKey Concept: Understanding what genuinely motivates people (not just external rewards) requires awarenessAccessible Summary: TED Talk "The Puzzle of Motivation" available free at ted.comNeuroscience & Executive Functioning ResearchWalker, M. (2017). Why we sleep: Unlocking the power of sleep and dreams. Scribner.Focus: Impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive functioning, decision-making, and emotional regulationKey Finding: Chronic sleep loss impairs prefrontal cortex functioning and increases amygdala reactivityAccessible Summary: "Sleep Is Your Superpower" TED Talk available at ted.comSapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why zebras don't get ulcers (3rd ed.). Henry Holt and Company.Focus: Stress physiology, chronic stress impact on brain and bodyKey Concept: Chronic organizational stress reduces cognitive flexibility and executive functioningAccessible Summary: Stanford lectures available on YouTubeTang, Y. Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posner, M. I. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(4), 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916Focus: How contemplative practices change brain structure and functionKey Finding: Stillness and reflective practice strengthen attention regulation and reduce anxiety-related brain activityAccessible Resource: Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley - "The Science of Mindfulness" (greatergood.berkeley.edu)Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man's search for meaning. Beacon Press. (Original work published 1946)Focus: Space between stimulus and response as location of human freedom and choiceKey Quote: "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response."Accessible: Available at most libraries; frequently taught in leadership and psychology coursesSocial Awareness & Organizational Climate Research Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.44.1.113Focus: Perspective-taking as measurable leadership capacityKey Concept: Empathy includes cognitive perspective-taking, not just emotional resonanceSchneider, B., Ehrhart, M. G., & Macey, W. H. (2013). Organizational climate and culture. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 361–388. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143809Focus: How organizational climate (shared perceptions) impacts performance and wellbeingKey Finding: Leaders shape organizational climate through their awareness and responsivenessEdmondson, A. C. (2018). The fearless organization: Creating psychological safety in the workplace for learning, innovation, and growth. Wiley.Focus: Psychological safety as foundation for organizational learning and innovationKey Concept: Leaders with high awareness create environments where voice, feedback, and innovation flourishAccessible Summary: Harvard Business Review articles and TED Talk available onlinePalmer, P. J. (2000). Let your life speak: Listening for the voice of vocation. Jossey-Bass.Focus: Discernment, calling, listening to one's life and body for vocational wisdomKey Concept: "Living the questions" rather than forcing premature answersAccessible: Widely available; popular in ministry, education, and leadership development programsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/love-light-leadership-podcast--6730707/support.