Do you know what somatic leadership is? – How to make your body a key tool in decision-making, stress management and team leadership

When doing your job, do you rely only on your knowledge, experience, emotional intelligence and cognitive abilities, or do you also listen to what your body is telling you? Are you aware of the power your body has and that it is perhaps the most important tool in leadership?

It seems that leading a team in a company has never been more difficult than today, and in the time when technology is developing at an incredible speed and with one goal – to help us do our job. Still, despite the technological advancements, juggling numerous business meetings, short deadlines, stress on a daily basis, interpersonal relations and different characters in one team are still there. And the team leader is the one who needs to solve all the crisis situations the right way.

Jelena Vuletic, the first ICF-licensed coach in Montenegro, with an ACC accreditation, a certified somatic coach, as well as a PCM coach and POI coach, but also the founder of Balance to Business and a successful banker, through her years of experience in coaching, has noticed that many people are not connected with their bodies, relying only on rational processes. That is precisely the reason why she has brought the new program of somatic leadership to our premises.

– This realization has inspired me to look into the methods which include the body as a key element in leadership. Education at the Somatic School of London was the turning point, because, through it, I understood the strength of the somatic approach and decided to integrate it into my work, which has resulted in considerable improvements in my coaching and programs. For example, I have enriched the program “Coaching Competences for Managers” and the coaching sessions I run with the somatic approach, which has enabled managers and leaders to improve their emotional intelligence and efficiency in making decisions and to achieve the desired results – Jelena Vuletic says for eKapija.

As she explains, somatic leadership is in fact an approach to leadership which integrates the body and the mind, enabling leaders to connect with their inner feelings and deeply explore their inner state.

– This approach recognizes that the body carries key information that we often neglect, thereby contributing to a more efficient and present leadership. Through somatic leadership, leaders become more aware of their bodies and emotional states, which makes them more capable of responding to challenges with greater authenticity and clarity – she says.

According to her, the somatic approach revolutionizes leadership by including the leader’s whole being, and not just the mental and emotional aspects.

– While traditional methods focus on cognitive skills, the somatic approach uses the body as a key tool in decision-making, stress management and team leadership. This holistic approach enables leaders to connect with their inner feelings, which leads to a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s reactions. Also, somatic leadership contributes to sustainable changes in leadership, creating a stronger bond between the leader and the team. This approach enables leaders to recognize their inner conflicts and blockages, thereby creating a more authentic and effective leadership, which better suits the dynamic demands of a modern business environment – explains Vuletic.

And what are the advantages of somatic leadership and how can it help leaders with leading a team? Our interviewee says that the advantages of this approach are numerous, both for the leader and their team.

First, she says, it enables leaders to gain a deeper control of their emotions, helping them to remain calm and present in stressful situations.

– This improves communication within the team and contributes to a more efficient decision-making. Second, it increases the leader’s emotional intelligence, which improves interpersonal relations and team dynamics. As a result of that, leaders can build stable and successful teams, creating a healthy work atmosphere which supports productivity and innovations. This holistic approach enables leaders to better understand and manage their inner state, which leads to deeper and more sustainable changes. Also, somatic leadership helps leaders to more efficiently adapt to the changes and challenges in the business environment – says Vuletic.

In addition to including somatic leadership in the already existing coaching programs within the company Balance to Business, Jelena Vuletic will organize the first two-day group coaching program of somatic leadership, called “Leadership. Here and Now”, on September 20-21.

The event will be held in the gorgeous Villa “Rijeka Zeta” in Montenegro and be a unique opportunity to explore the integration of mind and body in leadership over the course of two intensive days.

– The first day, called “Somatic Leadership: A Labyrinth”, focuses on discovering hidden behavior patterns and awakening the intuitive leader. The second day, “Somatic Leadership: Mind and Body”, helps harmonize the mind and the body in order to improve emotional intelligence and the wisdom of leadership. A special guest will give an additional dimension to the program, creating a unique atmosphere with her musical skills and enriching the event. The limited number of seats enables a personalized approach, providing the users with tools for simple communication, being calm under pressure and the possibility of unlocking the potentials of their own teams – she points out.

This program, Vuletic adds, is meant for leaders on all levels – from CEOs to managers and entrepreneurs – who want to improve their self-awareness and develop key skills for a successful leadership.

– Through this two-day program, the participants will have the opportunity to explore various somatic practices and develop a deeper understanding of the connection between the mind, the body and the emotions. The program is a perfect opportunity for those who want to improve their emotional intelligence, upgrade their communication skills and learn how to adapt to the changes with ease and presence. Dear readers, this is precisely why you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to transform your leadership and upgrade your skills – concludes Jelena Vuletic in her interview for eKapija.

D. Obradovic