26/11/2025
Leadership is such a paradox.
You're constantly wondering if you're making the right or wrong decisions.
You're relentlessly grasping for the next level of success.
However, when we really take a long, hard look at the wealthiest, "most successful" people in the world:
-Do you really think they're making the right decisions?
-Do you really think their definition of success aligns with yours?
-Do you really think they embody effective, impactful leadership?
I was watching the sunset yesterday while reflecting on my own past and present positions of leadership. On my way out the door to walk to the beach, I grabbed my new herbal oracle cards by Adriana Ayales that I purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs in Seattle a few months ago.
I'm not even joking when I told you the first card I pulled was:
Lion's Mane, which in this deck represents leadership!
All of the cards I pulled were so beautiful. Here are a few words of wisdom that resonated with me:
1) Lion's Mane (Leadership): During China's dynastic periods, Buddhist monks were said to use lion's mane as a nutritive food and in tea to enhance focus and brain power during meditation. Power isn't powerful when you put others, or yourself, down. Lead your life from a place of compassionate leadership, and the rest will follow.
2) Mitragynia (Shape Shifting): Mitragynia was revered among monks in Asia, as it assisted them during long periods of meditation by providing focused attention and positive energy. Like the dragonfly, Mitragynia grants us the power to break through the illusionary facade we often accept as reality. Dragonfly medicine asks us to seek out the parts of our habits that have gone unchanged, unnoticed, or stagnant. Ask yourself, have I tended to the changes I've been wanting to make?
3) Arnica (Teacher): Native American tribes including the Calusa used the roots of Arnica cordifolia, or heart-leaf Arnica, to prepare a pain-relieving tea. The first written record of Arnica appears in the Middle Ages, where it was referred to as "alisma." Arnica has long been associated with Wolf medicine, symbolizing loyalty, leadership, community, intuition, and instinctual intelligence. Wolf, like Arnica, teaches us how to become resilient teachers so that we experience greater knowing, and help others as they seek their own path.
I have been writing relentlessly for the last year on embodied leadership, and in particular embodying the earth element. Returning to the wisdom of the plants has helped me tremendously. I would be happy to share more with you about my process. If you're in a position of leadership, I highly recommend cultivating a relationship with at least one plant to support and inspire you on this journey.
