“I want to hear your story Maria” is a phrase I used to fear.
For the past few years I have been working with my husband and business partner and have been mostly and happily standing in the background.
I have assisted and provided my input in writing our website. We have created and developed material for our retreats. I have edited Glenn’s book SHIFT: Indigenous Principles for Corporate Change, and also edit and provide photographs for his blogs.
Together we have facilitated retreats and each time we come away with more insight on the retreats and ourselves.
During all these experiences I had been uncertain as to what my part was in our Balanced Is work. “What do I have to offer?” I would ask myself.
During meetings with potential clients and while networking I felt comfortable with Glenn doing all the talking and me just listening and observing. And then… I hear the words, “I want to hear your story Maria,” and for some reason these words scared me.
Today I know the reason. I had no idea what my story was because I was trying to tell the story that would fit with whatever group I was with, in this instance a business group. According to the stories I have believed about myself I did not fit in the corporate business world. I have not worked in high level positions and I do not necessarily know all the business language. “So what do I have to say that would be beneficial to business people?” I asked myself.
These experiences have helped me realize that the corporate world is made of many different people, with many different skills, talents, and gifts. The gift I bring to the business world is to create a safe space for people to drop into their hearts, to communicate in a new way, and to see business and themselves with a whole new perspective.
So the story I believed was that business works in a particular way, and the heart does not have a place in it. Today I know that business, more than ever, needs to bridge the mind with the heart, and in doing so we can create a better world and a brighter future for all.
