Embodied leadership

If you live in the West, you have been raised in a culture that prizes intellect above all, whether making decisions, navigating conflict, or public speaking.

For centuries, Western thought has been influenced by dualism, which separates the mind from the body and diminishes the role of physical awareness.

And it’s costing you.

You are missing important clues and signals and superpowers your body can offer to help you make decisions, navigate conflict, and even speak in front of people.

This isn’t just philosophical musing—it’s science.

Research in interoception, the study of how the body communicates internal sensations to the brain, shows that bodily signals influence emotions, decisions, and resilience.

These signals are processed in the unconscious mind, offering insights that don’t add to the cognitive overload many leaders face.

Photo by Thor Alvis on Unsplash

Embodiment in Leadership: A Missed Opportunity

Despite this reserarch, you likely operate in ways that disconnect you from your body, often to your detriment. Here are three areas where embodiment can transform your effectiveness as a leader:

1. Decision-Making

Current Approach: Leaders often rely solely on intellectual reasoning, data analysis, or external advice, ignoring bodily sensations or intuition.

How Embodiment Helps: By tuning into signals like tightness, ease, or a “gut feeling,” you can access wisdom from your unconscious mind that complements logical reasoning.

Embodied decision-making fosters clarity and confidence, particularly in high-pressure or ambiguous situations.

2. Conflict Resolution

Current Approach: Conflict is frequently approached from a verbal or logical standpoint, with a focus on quick solutions rather than addressing underlying tensions.

How Embodiment Helps: Awareness of one’s physical state—like breath, tension, or posture—helps you regulate emotions and remain grounded during conflicts.

This calm presence can de-escalate tension, creating a safe space for more constructive resolutions.

3. Public Speaking and Communication

Current Approach: Many leaders focus on the content of their message but neglect their delivery, including their tone, body language, and physical presence, which can lead to disengagement or diminished credibility.

How Embodiment Helps: By using posture, gestures, and vocal variation, you can convey confidence and authenticity in your delivery.

Techniques like mindful breathing or grounding enhance presence, reduce nervousness, and foster deeper connections with audiences.

Cultivating Embodiment Through Interoception

To integrate embodiment into your leadership, the first step is cultivating interoceptive awareness.

Interoception is your ability to perceive internal sensations—signals from your organs, muscles, and even bones that travel to the brain.

Start with a simple check-in: can you sense your heartbeat without physically touching your chest or wrist?

If not, you may have an underdeveloped sense of interoception.

A great way to strengthen this awareness is through a body scan:

• Find a quiet, comfortable space. Sit with your feet on the floor, close your eyes, and focus on the rise and fall of your breath.

• Direct your attention to each part of your body, starting with your feet and slowly moving upward to your head.

• Notice any sensations—warmth, tension, or ease—and name them if possible.

This practice not only enhances awareness but also builds resilience, emotional regulation, and a deeper sense of connection to yourself and others.

The Science of Wisdom in the Body

As Bessel van der Kolk’s groundbreaking book reminds us, The Body Keeps the Score. By listening to its signals, you can tap into valuable insights that enhance you decision-making, relationships, and communication.

Embracing embodiment is not just about self-awareness; it’s an act of self-compassion and a gateway to becoming a more effective, empathetic leader.

In the words of John O’Donohue, “It is a strange and wonderful fact to be here, walking around in a body, to have a whole world within you and a world at your fingertips outside you.”

How will you tune into your inner world to better navigate the challenges of leadership?

Love,

Audrey