One aspect of Western society and leadership is the focus on the mind to the detriment of the body. We tend to not think about the mind/body connection when it comes to our actions and how we experience the world around us. This extends to leadership as well. We don't see how our leadership begins in the body in how we relate to it, control it, and command it. Croft Edwards has a range of leadership experience, from his time in the ROTC, to his role as an officer in the US Army, to running his own coaching company, and helping leaders lead somatically. We talk about what somatic leadership means, and why it is important to the experiences of those you are leading. He lays out how the stories we tell ourselves are not always the facts that exist, and how we need to change stories to fit the facts. He talks about his book "The Liquid Accordion," which aims to integrate somatic and embodied work into your coaching practice. Finally, we talk about living in the middle of Michigan at the same time, albeit at different universities!
Well the semester has started and the summer is officially over, sad to say. It has been a pretty active summer overall, as I have been describing in relation to my manuscript “The UN-WOW.” Not only writing that, but also marketing it and getting financial support for its publication. Again, thanks to you who have given, and to those who are going to give. I can’t do this without your help, and any help is much appreciated.
Another new activity has been helping to coach a junior Nordic ski club. I have been Nordic (or cross-country) skiing for a bit now, but I wouldn’t consider myself “good.” I mean, compared to most people I’m pretty good. But compared to people who know what they are doing, I’m just alright. It is amazing how difficult it is to learn things as an adult versus when you are young. Unfortunately, I learned Nordic skiing when I was older. What can you do?
So with my coaching, I’m trying to impart words of wisdom more than technical recommendations. Sharing my experiences as a (sometimes) athlete. Trying to help where I can, and learn everywhere else. Coaching, like teaching, is very much a calling and a service, as well as a learning experience.
My guest today on Experience by Design is himself a coach, although not of Nordic skiing. Croft Edwards is retired from the US Army at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He also is a graduate of Michigan State University. Turns out that we spent the late 1980s and early 1990s about 90 minutes from one another, as I was north at Central Michigan University. He also is the Founder of Croft and Company, which is a collection of coaches who specialize in somatic and ontological coaching. He also is the author of the book “The Liquid Accordion,” “a clear, practical roadmap for integrating somatic and embodiment work into your coaching practice.”
Croft shares how his military background influences his approach to leadership and coaching, especially how leadership is something that is granted to you by your followers. He talks about how he first became aware of ontological and somatic coaching through Villanova University. He describes how the seemingly simple act of separating facts from opinions helped him to reframe the stories that he was telling himself and what that meant to his own leadership.
Croft discusses the concept of ontological coaching, focusing on helping individuals become "ontological observers" by examining their stories and making conscious choices about them. He explains how he adapts his approach using the "Go Native" methodology from Army Special Forces to meet clients where they are, rather than where he thinks they should be.
Finally, Croft shares insights from his book "The Liquid Accordion," which aims to make somatic concepts accessible to a broader audience. Croft gives examples of leadership transformations he's witnessed, including how changes in body language and presence can impact both individuals and organizations.
Croft and Company Website: https://croftandcompany
Croft Edwards LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/croftedwards/
“The Liquid Accordion”: https://liquidaccordion.com/