Leadership, Instincts, and the Era of Surprise
September 24, 2012
Hosted by John D. Schmidt
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Episode Description
Ted Usatynski, founder of the organization Instinctual Intelligence and author of the book, Instinctual Intelligence: The Primal Wisdom of the Nervous System and the Evolution of Human Nature, joins ZOOM’D again for further exploration into perfect storms, fear, and the coming era of surprise. This week Ted introduces the nature of instinctual and emotional shock generated by many sources, including daily stimulus by the media; illuminates how shock states can be recognized and felt from an embodied perspective; and points toward actions that might be taken to unleash as well as develop the flow of personal and collective leadership capacities available. Ted describes how the brain functions in relation to a world rich in fear—and links the discussion to the realm of universal intelligence that exists on the other side of instinctual hijacking of the body, emotions, and mind. See a multi-media trailer at http://instinctualintelligence.org/VideoPage/video5.html.
ZOOM’D Leadership
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ZOOM’D takes you out to big picture issues of the day, in to up-close-and-personal capacities of leadership, and toward a desirable future of constant renewal.
Whether focused on the economic crisis, energy, climate change, or sustainability at large, ZOOM’D looks at what is really going on. We’ll examine patterns at play, drivers behind them, perspectives of leadership, and the importance of changing the way we pursue the future.
ZOOM’D uniquely interweaves emphasis on the objective and subjective—on tangible shifts needed in systems, institutions, governance, and behaviors; and on intangible values, cultures, and leader mindsets needed to see, shape, and orchestrate the shifts.
ZOOM’D bridges the conceptual to the practical for all in business, government, and civil society to benefit from and to activate leadership around.
John D. Schmidt
John D. Schmidt is the founder and CEO of Avastone Consulting, an international consultancy committed to the vitality and sustainability of client organizations and the larger global community. He serves as advisor to global corporations and nongovernmental enterprises, and is a thinker, designer, and practitioner in integral approaches to complex challenges and human development.
John’s expertise offers a rich foundation for ZOOM’D. He is a seasoned consultant with 30 years experience in getting to the heart of matters, discerning what is really going on, and framing appropriate actions. He focuses on deep understanding—listening for surface realities—and deeper truth. He makes sense of complexity, integrating the long view with the here-and-now.
John values the interiority of life and how the developmental nature of mindsets shapes the world we live in—across economic, social, and environmental arenas. He is dedicated to his own growth and contemplative practice, spending 25 days per year in retreat. He is creatively gifted in developing other leaders through deep immersion experiences.
John serves as guest faculty and contributor to learning institutes, universities, and community service organizations. He is a board member of the SHIFT Foundation (which develops young global leaders) and Kosmos Journal (a voice of global awakening). He passionately pursues active enjoyments of life—he is a road cyclist, skier, fly fisher—and lover of the ocean.
