My clients inspire me. Through their brilliance and wisdom, I am consistently reminded of the greatness, humanity, and possibilities within each human being. They are my injections of optimism, creativity, and courage that inspire me to be better with and for others.
In a recent conversation with a client, I will call her Kim to maintain anonymity, Kim shared what came up for her as she read my article on Inspiration vs Motivation, and as she reflected on how I show up in our work together. Kim said, “the way you frame or reframe things is so valuable. You have this radical intentionality about you.” I was grateful Kim shared her insights with me and honored and humbled to hear how she experienced me. This got me thinking about radical intentionality, who I am, what I do, how I serve, and why I serve others through consulting and coaching.
What is it that allows me to show up with radical intentionality? What is the impact of this on those who experience me? What is the impact on me?
What if radical intentionality is the manifestation of caring in action?
As I heard Kim’s thoughts reflected back to me in her words, I felt that feeling when you know something is important, but not yet quite sure what the meaning is. Kim later went on to clarify her experience with me. She said:
One of the first things I noticed about working with you is your way of “inviting” me to consider something or do something. That invitation is just so gracious and removes the scariness from whatever it is we are discussing. You both inspire and motivate because through your invitation, you give the grace of agency. I have a choice. I can walk through that door or not, and know that it is ok with you either way. That is liberating to be sure but even more importantly, it is empowering. THAT’s “radical intentionality.
~Client (Kim), Senior Executive for a Global Management Consulting Services Company
This reflection humbled me and inspired me to reflect further on what radical intentionality was. What emerged was: Radical intentionality feels like the manifestation of caring through purposeful action that serves the betterment of others.
I wondered, what the conditions are that enable me or anyone to show up with radical intentionality? This is what came up for me:
- Freedom comes to mind. Free to be and bring my full, best self. A letting go of expectations of others, a releasing of the voice of doubt, and choosing to be present with yourself and what matters in this moment.
- A steadfast belief in myself, my values, who I am, my purpose
- Connection with my true self, and the beliefs and values which form the anchor for my choices, decisions, behavior, and actions.
- Caring about and for people and their growth and success. For me it feels like congruence between myself and my self-expression that contributes to uplifting others or myself.
Where there is congruence between your true self and your self-expression, you are living in radical intentionality.
I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and insights on radical intentionality to enrich and evolve the discussion. What are the conditions that empower you to show up with radical intentionality?
Please share in the COMMENTS below how you have experienced radical intentionality and what that was like for you.
What did it feel like? What was the impact on you? How have you shown up with radical intentionality? What was the impact on others? What was the impact on you?