Embodying Authenticity: A Somatic Path to Transforming Self

We cannot think our way to being different. Her instructions were simple: move as you breathe out; be still as you breathe in; and as you move let yourself occupy one of three states of lying, sitting or standing. The teacher invited us to let our attention drop to our body and to simply notice, without judgement, what might get revealed in the stillness and in the movement. This is something new, I thought. I looked around and I noticed how everyone else had lain down without hesitation. My sceptical inner voice was already questioning how could this possibly be relevant to leadership or change? As I too lay down on the floor and closed my eyes, I could feel my level of self-consciousness rising. I felt anxious, my mind kicked into overdrive with questions: what should I be doing; what is the right move here; what is the wrong move? I felt the need to check if I was where everyone else was in the sequence, not recognising that there was nowhere to be but where I was. The moment the teacher asked us to make our last move I felt sheer panic, not knowing if I was going to end in the ‘right place’ .Review: This book will take you on a journey that will ask you to deepen your inquiry into the Being of leadership and will ignite your curiosity about a new possibility of supporting change and transformation. Dr Richard Strozzi-Heckler.Many of us work in organisations that we wish were different and we often talk to colleagues about what needs to change - it seems so obvious to us and we are amazed that "the management" can't see it. This book invites you to approach this situation differently - by starting with yourself and thinking about how you could be different in your life and work. It then takes you on a journey to explore how you could start this journey of being different. If you want a quick leadership fix - this book is not for you. But if you have an interest in understanding how your attitudes, and behaviours influence your world and are prepared to be brave and start changing them - then read it now. Carrie Birmingham, HR Director: The Times and Sunday TimesEunice artfully weaves together theory, her personal journey and soul-baring stories of transformation for leaders and organisations. She builds a compelling case for somatics as the missing link not only in leadership development but in culture change programmes and OD, and even beyond. This book speaks eloquently to the zeitgeist of integration- between organisations and individuals, between humans and the world around them, between mind, body, heart and soul. Liz Hall, Editor of Coaching at Work, author of Mindful Coaching and editor of Coaching in Times of Crisis and TransformationIn a world at times dominated by the intellectual perspective, Eunice Aquilina has produced a book that examines the impact of our entire body on our self, whether we are a leader, coach or organisational development consultant. Illustrated throughout with useful case studies, this book offers the questions to enable you to start moving through life in a more authentic and centred way, refreshingly the book doesn't offer seven steps, or five ways, to develop, but remains true to the messiness of change, and instead opens up a perspective on how our body impacts on our self, by providing you with the key questions to apply. Dr Caroline Horner, Managing Director, i-coach academy

Eunice Aquilina is the founder and managing director of eaconsult, a leadership and organisation development consultancy that works with global teams, groups and individual leaders, to build their capacity for change.
Eunice supports her clients to develop an authentic leadership presence, build skilful ways to cultivate trust, embody greater ease and connection and re-shape their commitments for greater impact.
She draws on three decades of working in blue chip companies in senior leadership positions, and combines her practical experience with her research into how leaders effectively navigate a changing environment.

The result is an approach that leverages the mind-body connection enabling leaders to become more connected, more consequent and more innovative.