Conscious

About the Author

Bob Rosen is an organizational psychologist and a trusted adviser to CEOs. He is the founder of Healthy Companies International, which he established with the mission of helping executives achieve their leadership potential. Over the last 30 years, he has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profits worldwide. Rosen is also a best-selling author, known for his insights into leadership and personal development.

Emma-Kate Swann is an organizational psychologist and executive coach. She serves as the vice president of leadership and transformation at Healthy Companies International. Swann is dedicated to building communities of conscious leaders who can maximize their performance and create sustainable, healthy organizational cultures. Her work is centered on helping leaders navigate the complexities of modern business environments.

Main Idea

"Conscious: The Power of Awareness in Business and Life" by Bob Rosen and Emma-Kate Swann explores the concept of consciousness as the new smart in a rapidly changing world. The authors argue that being aware, awake, and accountable is essential for personal and professional success. The book serves as a roadmap for individuals and organizations to navigate transformation, helping them adapt and accelerate into the future. The central idea is that conscious living leads to deeper thinking, faster learning, better collaboration, and ultimately, higher performance.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Go Deep to Discover Your Inner Self
3. Discover Your Innate Wisdom
4. Discomfort Is the New Immunization
5. Your Roots of Conscious Living
6. Step Up to Your Highest Potential
7. Live Your Higher Purpose
8. Build a Shared Consciousness
9. Leave a Legacy
10. Think Big to See a World of Possibilities
11. Conscious Is the New Smart
12. Get Real With Your Accelerators and Hijackers
13. The Path to Being Conscious
14. Conclusion

Go Deep to Discover Your Inner Self

The journey to consciousness begins with introspection. To truly understand ourselves, we must look deep into the mirror and confront both our imperfections and our idealized selves. The authors emphasize the importance of self-awareness in navigating the fast-paced, disruptive world we live in. They suggest a 360-degree approach to self-awareness: reflecting on our values, passions, and purpose, seeking feedback from others, and noticing how our surroundings affect us.

"For your whole story to emerge, you need to look deep into the mirror and become self-aware." - Bob Rosen and Emma-Kate Swann

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of our true selves. By taking a deep dive into our inner world, we can uncover our core values and motivations. This process involves:

• Reflecting on your values, passions, and purpose: Understanding what drives you and what you aspire to achieve.
• Seeking feedback: Asking family, friends, and colleagues for their honest opinions about how you are showing up in the world.
• Observing your surroundings: Noticing how different challenges and opportunities impact you.

Rosen and Swann highlight that our need for security, acceptance, and control are fundamental to our well-being. When these needs are unmet, they can disrupt our lives. By acknowledging and addressing these needs, we can better navigate our personal and professional environments.

Discover Your Innate Wisdom

Rosen and Swann highlight the innate wisdom within each of us, characterized by natural intelligence, curiosity, and compassion. To access this wisdom, we must open our hearts and minds, embracing love as a foundational element. The authors identify four expressions of love that enhance our innate wisdom: love of purpose, love of accomplishment, love of others, and love of self.

"An open heart fuels the fire: It enables us to be emotionally honest, compassionate and joyful. An open mind shines a light: It enables us to be self-aware and curious, practical and relevant." - Bob Rosen and Emma-Kate Swann

Innate wisdom is a crucial aspect of conscious living. By tapping into this wisdom, we can navigate the complexities of life with greater ease and understanding. The four expressions of love play a significant role in this process: