Transformational Leadership Retreat
Reflections from five days at Kripalu
A few weeks ago, I had the incredible privilege of attending Kripalu's Transformational Leadership Retreat on a full scholarship alongside 27 nonprofit leaders from across the country. This retreat is offered free of charge to accepted nonprofit leaders and is designed to help us explore not just what we do as leaders, but who we are and how we show up.
It wasn't a conference. There were no PowerPoint presentations, breakout sessions on fundraising, or talks about governance, KPIs, or strategic plans. While those topics certainly have their place, this week was about something much deeper: refilling our cups so we can continue pouring into others.
One of the core ideas we came back to again and again is: inner being = outer doing. If we want to create healthy organizations, resilient teams, and thriving communities, we first have to cultivate those qualities within ourselves.
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One afternoon we were asked to reflect on our purpose. Something broad; something that will not limit you. One of our leaders shared his purpose: to lead with love. We were tasked to go out in nature with a partner and write alone, near your partner, and then come together with your partner to discuss. I brainstormed on JOY, knowing it was part of my purpose, and drew a web with all the ways that joy shows up in my life (see photo above). But I struggled with the verb. Eventually my partner, Jacob, helped me land on the word INSPIRE. Throughout my life, friends and peers and strangers alike have reflected back to me that I have inspired them in one way or another.
My final purpose I landed on is to inspire joy.
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Some frameworks we learend that will stick with me…
“NEST-ing” to check in with yourself, a partner or a group
N — Number - how grounded to you feel on a scale of 1-10?
E — What emotions are present for you?
S — What sensations are occurring in your body?
T — What thoughts are here now?
Bringing things above the line instead of letting them stay hidden.
Big Swan Energy (BSE).
Energy gets off balance when we have too much heat (tiger) or too much lethargy (sloth). The swan taking flight is the perfect example of harmony. When sloth and tiger come together to form something greater.
When in doubt, ask:
What is needed here?
What type of leader do I need to be?
Is this a dip or a dead end?
Your job is the process. (You can pray for the outcome you want). Life's job is the outcome.
Look to nature for the answers to your questions.
4 Elements of Dialogue:
Listen.
Respect.
Suspend (beliefs, judgments, etc.)
Then speak.
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At the end of the five days we were given a few prompts to reflect on. Here are some notes from my journal:
“My younger self is so proud. She can hardly believe what she sees! She is wide-eyed and speechless. I imagine sitting her down and explaining my life to her…
‘You're a nonprofit leader. You lead youth outdoor programs. You host international retreats. You have friends across the globe. You get to inspire joy in people of all ages!’
I want to say she can't imagine it… but she CAN and she DOES because SHE DREAMED IT. i have stepped so fully into myself since i was a little girl... it feels miraculous. There’s no need to censor myself or pretend to be anything other than exactly what i am…”
“My elder self would say… You did it. You are doing it. You are living your truth. Now get off your damn phone and experience the glory of this beautiful world. Be alive while you have the chance. Wake up and remember yourself again and again and again… reclaim your purpose. Your purpose is to live with joy — to INSPIRE JOY. Joy is medicine and the world needs more joy. Wake up, go outside, and smell the flowers.”
“As I reflect on what fills my cup, I realized that the most important sources of energy and happiness in my life are experiences exactly like this. Intentional circles. Retreats. Community sound baths. People who value connection, nature, and purpose. All week I found myself dreaming about how I can create more weeks like this—for myself and for others. The word that kept bubbling up was connection. Connection to my whole self. Connection to others. Connection to nature. Connection to purpose. Connection to the food I'm eating. Connection to joy.”