My friend and colleague Lynne Marino (in the bright red jacket–her signature color) recently shared an article that had inspired her–a copy of a lecture by William Deresiewicz, a Yale professor, given to a West Point plebe class last March. It was entitled Solitude and Leadership.
Lynne had just heard me tell an audience of EWN members that spending quiet time, especially in meditation, is essential to being a successful entrepreneur.
I was eager to see the connection. Lynne warned me that the download was lengthy, but worth the read. I printed out the 8 pages and found a quiet time during the recent snowstorm to sit by the fire and read it. (I include this level of detail, because I’m always curious how others find reading time in their lives.) Here are my take-aways:
- That solitude, “the ability to be alone with your thoughts…is one of the most important necessities of true leadership.”
- That these amazingly gifted students (at Yale and West Point) “had been trained to be world-class hoop jumpers…i.e. ‘excellent sheep.'”
- “My first thought is never my best thought.”
- The answers “can only be found within–without distractions, without peer pressure, in solitude.”
- And my favorite quote from the entire article: “Introspection means talking to yourself, and one of the best ways of talking to yourself is by talking to another person.”
I often don’t know what I’m truly thinking until I’m in conversation with someone else and the words come out of my mouth. Solitude is critical. I practice it twice daily in my meditation practice. It’s how I’ve created so much clarity in my life. Voicing it out loud to another seals the knowing in my mind, and it becomes part of my DNA.
Who needs solitude? You do. Are you getting as much as you need?
Excellent and so timely. I am grateful to be surrounded by like-minded people.
Jane, this is great stuff. I shared this post on my own blog site at http://www.possibilitiesamplified.com/blog. Spending time in solitude with your own thoughts is key fodder for any sort of creative leadership, even personal creative leadership. Thanks for sharing your take-aways!
Love this, Jane! So powerful. I am a highly social being, but I also really value and love my “alone” time. It helps ground me, focus me, rejuvenate and inspire me. So vital to living a good life and being a successful entrepreneur. Thanks for the validation!
– Lisa
@Lynn
It’s no accident! You’ve chosen wisely.
@Kim
I’m so glad to have been introduced to and by you. I’m enjoying reading your info as well.
@Lisa
Sounds like a recipe for balance and peace. Thanks for sharing it.
Jane: Glad you had a snow to read this powerful article! I personally have relished in snow days. As an extrovert ‘extreme’, solitude and quiet time tend to go to the bottom of the list. Having the calendar erased during snow days has reminded me the importance of being ‘quiet’. Thanks for sharing! Lynne