Transforming Leadership: Insights from Danielle Smeltzer on Awarely Embodied Leadership
Dive into the world of trauma-informed leadership with Danielle Smeltzer, as she reveals her journey from corporate executive to the founder of Awarely Embodied Leadership, reshaping how we approach work and well-being.
In a captivating episode of “Daring to Leap,” host Loree Philip interviews Danielle Smeltzer, the visionary behind Awarely Embodied Leadership. Danielle’s story is a powerful testament to the importance of integrating well-being into leadership practices to foster healthier and more productive workplaces.
From Corporate Burnout to Embodied Leadership
Danielle Smeltzer’s career shift began about a year ago when she decided to leave her high-stress role in an international platform co-op. The pandemic underscored the critical need for workplace well-being and trauma-informed practices, leading Danielle to pursue her passion for mindfulness and well-being professionally. Her journey exemplifies the courage needed to transition from a secure corporate job to founding her own business.
Navigating the Leap
The transition from a stable salary to entrepreneurship was fraught with challenges for Danielle. She shares how her 16-year career in high-level positions left her feeling misaligned, sparking her desire for a different kind of impact. Today, Danielle balances her business with ongoing education and strategic consulting, embodying the principles of resilience and adaptability.
The Essence of Embodied Leadership
Embodied leadership is about bridging the gap between work and well-being. It involves integrating cognitive processes with bodily and nervous system awareness to foster sustainable leadership practices. Danielle highlights that traditional leadership often neglects these aspects, leading to burnout and inefficiency.
Addressing Workplace Burnout
Danielle observed pervasive stress and burnout in her previous roles, which often led to decreased productivity and well-being. Her goal with Awarely Embodied Leadership is to create a more balanced approach where innovation and well-being are not mutually exclusive but complementary.
From Reaction to Response
A crucial aspect of embodied leadership is shifting from reactive to responsive behaviors. This practice involves cultivating awareness of stress triggers and developing intentional response strategies. Danielle emphasizes that this shift can lead to better decision-making and healthier workplace interactions.
Preventing Burnout Proactively
Danielle advocates for a preventative approach to burnout. By addressing systemic organizational issues and providing leaders with tools to manage stress effectively, it is possible to create environments that prevent burnout before it starts. Her approach combines systemic change with personal development to achieve this goal.
Embodied leadership integrates cognitive, bodily, and nervous system awareness to create a more holistic and sustainable leadership approach, unlike traditional leadership, which often focuses solely on cognitive aspects.
Leaders can develop this ability by building awareness of their stress responses, identifying triggers, and practicing intentional pauses. This approach allows for more thoughtful and effective responses to stressful situations.
Organizations can prevent burnout by fostering a culture that promotes well-being, providing training for stress management, encouraging work-life balance, and addressing workload distribution and job demands.
Stress education is crucial because it helps employees understand how stress affects them, promotes healthier coping mechanisms, and fosters a supportive environment that can improve overall productivity and well-being.
