1. “Reframing Your Crucible”
Bill George True North Leadership Multiversity – October 15, 2018

2. What Is a Crucible? “A situation of severe trial,
leading to the creation of something new.”
“That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” Friedrich Nietzsche

3. Crucibles of Leadership
Why crucibles are important in our lives:
Occur when you least expect them
Real test of your character
Opportunity for learning and growth
Importance of self-awareness, reflection and introspection
Formative for what’s next in your life
Opportunity to look back and draw strength

4. Negative Impact of Crucibles
Incapacitating
Feeling like a victim
Unresolved anger, grief or shame
Denial and “shutting down”
Pain avoidance for future issues

5. -Oprah Winfrey My message is always the same:
You are responsible for your life,
You’re not living to please other people.
Although there may be tragedy in your life,
There’s always a possibility to triumph.
The ability to triumph begins with you.
-Oprah Winfrey

6. The thing that allowed me to achieve material and spiritual success is the ability to listen to my instinct – my inner voice.
It’s the ability to understand the difference between what your head is saying and what your heart is saying.
Now I always go with my heart.
-Oprah Winfrey

7. Connecting the Dots Two Types of Crucibles:
Early Life: Developmental, as your identity is being created
Mid-Career: “Hitting the wall” when you’re uncertain about your path
Or: You lose your way
Or: When life turns on you with surprises
> Can you “connect the dots” between these crucibles?
“You can’t connect the dots of your life looking forward,
but you must connect them looking back.”
-- Steve Jobs

8. What Determines Your Identity?
Path of Life
Identity
True North
Family
Beliefs
Nat’l Origin
Country
Values
Race
Religion
Principles
Gender
Education
Profession
Your Character
Your External Self
Your Internal Self
Tension
“What You Are”
“Who You Are”

9. What Determines Your Identity?
Path of Life
Identity
True North
Dueling Narratives
Family
Beliefs
Positive:
Ambitions/Desires
Nat’l Origin
Country
Values
Race
Religion
Gender
Education
Principles
Negative:
Fears
Profession
Your Character
Your External Self
Your Internal Self
Tension
“What You Are”
“Who You Are”

10. “Hitting the Wall”
“In the middle of the road of my life, I awoke in a dark wood Where the true way was wholly lost” - The Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri

11. Traps that Cause us to Lose our Way
 Craving:
- Money
- Fame
- Power
Can Never Have Enough
Narcissistic Wounds/Hurts
- Often from Childhood
Pain Avoidance
- Avoid repeating past pain
Lack of Respect from Others
Failure
Lack of Relevance
- Does my life matter? To whom?  

12. Getting Through Crucibles
Belief in ourselves and our purpose
Affirmation and support from others
Courage: endure any hardship
Taking responsibility for your life
Authenticity
Adaptive capacity

13. Finding The Pearl in My Life
3 Ways to Deal with Crucibles:
Focus on the event and live your life looking backward
Often an angry life, blaming others
Live your life as if nothing happened
Post-Traumatic Growth
Use event to transform your wound into a pearl
How can you reframe your crucible as a pearl by discovering your True North?

14. Post-Traumatic Growth
“The positive psychological change resulting from finding new meaning and resolve after a traumatic event.”
Shattering of fundamental beliefs, values, and understanding of self, others & the world
“Life is not always fair”
Struggle to find new meaning results in positive psychological growth
Acceptance that personal distress & growth can co-exist
- Richard Tedeshi, 2004

15. Post-Traumatic Growth
Deeper understanding your life story
Affirmation of your personal beliefs and values
Greater appreciation for life in general
Increased sense of your personal strength/agency
Deepening of relationships with others
Reduced need to please others & external forces
Open to new possibilities not present before
Greater resilience: coping with negative events
Deepening of wisdom and spirituality

16. How Can Discovering our True North Keep us on Track?
Reflection/Introspection
Addressing issues directly:
- Craving
- Narcissistic wounds
- Fears
Truth Tellers >> Honest Feedback
Staying Grounded
- Family/Children
- Community & Friends
- Support Group
- Community Service
Gratitude for what we have

17. Moral Courage
Moral courage is the courage to take action for moral reasons, despite the risk of adverse consequences. Courage is required to act when one has doubts or fears about the consequences.

18. Ken Frazier’s Resignation