What does leading with soul look like? David sits down with Patrick Dunn and asks that question.
Have you ever found yourself sitting in front of your laptop at midnight, typing out yet another email, and wondering, “Why am I doing this?”
We’ve all been there. We get caught up climbing the ladder, trying to keep up with the Joneses, and somewhere along the way, we start running on fumes. Patrick Dunn, founder of Paxaterra Global and a veteran of high-pressure global teams, knows this feeling all too well. For him, the turning point came not in a boardroom, but in the silence of Muir Woods, listening to the trees.
It was there that he realized that true leadership isn’t about the title on your business card. It’s about leading with soul. But what does that actually mean for the modern executive?
It Starts With Your Gut, Not Religion
When Patrick talks about “soul,” he isn’t talking about religion. He’s talking about that still, quiet voice inside you—your intuition. It’s the gut feeling that tells you when a meeting is going south or when a team member is struggling silently.
Leading with soul is built on four pillars: Presence, Purpose, Regeneration, and Service.
To lead effectively, you must tap into your intuition to determine what your team needs in the moment. Sometimes, that means bringing the high energy of a mascot (Patrick was once “Bananas the Bear” at the University of Maine!). Other times, it means using a calm, “fireside chat” voice to lower the temperature in a heated crisis meeting.
You Cannot Pour From an Empty Cup
How often do we sacrifice our own well-being for the sake of the “enterprise”?
Patrick’s journey taught him that you cannot serve your staff or family if you aren’t renewing yourself. Regeneration isn’t a luxury; it’s a leadership requirement.
This doesn’t require a sabbatical to a national park. It can be as simple as taking a walk around the block at lunch, watching kids play in a park, or stepping away from the 24-hour news cycle. When you disconnect from the noise, you reconnect with your purpose.
The 5-Second Reset
If you want to start leading with soul today, you don’t need to overhaul your entire management style overnight. Patrick suggests a simple, tactical practice you can use before walking into any room or joining any Zoom call.
The Countdown Technique:
- Pause before you enter.
- Count backward: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
- Take a deep breath.
This brief pause allows you to check your ego at the door, let go of the baggage from your previous meeting, and be fully present for the people in front of you.
Leading From Within
True service isn’t just about grand gestures or starting a nonprofit. It is the state of being present, listening deeply to your employees, and treating them with genuine care.
As you navigate your leadership journey, ask yourself: Are you leading from a place of frantic obligation, or from a place of centered purpose? The difference might just be a deep breath away.