Leading from Within, for a Regenerative World
“Leading from within, for a regenerative world”, is the elixer that comes from a long, long journey together with many members of the Lead True community. Moving inwards and outwards, and inwards and outwards again, for more than a decade. In ever widening circles.
As a strategist for public sector organizations, I loved aligning organizational purposes with society and the environment. Over the years, however, my focus shifted from supporting institutions to fueling my personal purpose: sharing the beauty of life and paving the way toward a world where there is enough for all living beings.
The Turning Point
The Lead True community was essential for me in making this turn. When I slowly stopped taking up major change-management roles, I didn’t feel relevant anymore. Who am I without my profession? Especially when this comes in the same period when my mother roles and my partner role faded out. I almost gave in to the stereotype forces that tell elderly women: you have done your duty and may rest now. The easiest way was to continue a seemingly not so meaningful life, behind the scenes. I didn’t see how my contribution could be of importance, and I couldn’t find any role models for me at the age of 60 plus.
Embracing the Queen Phase
But a few insights and events helped to take the turn to a renewed or maybe more consolidated purpose:
Conscious Transition: I decided to make the journey ‘around sixty’ consciously. I was aware of what was going on and where I was in the stages of the Lead True model. All thanks to the Lead True community around me and my own commitment to applying my wisdom guidelines.
The Queen Archetype: I discovered that the "Queen phase" (ages 50–75) after the Daughter and Mother phase, but before she turns into a Crone, is a powerful time when life is given back to her. As a sovereign women she connects deeply with her purpose and legacy.
Becoming the Role Model: Finding no examples, I accepted that I had to pioneer this new life phase myself. I let go of all societal expectations and followed my heart and my instinct, sharing whatever insights come from this journey.
Rootedness in Nature: Long-distance hikes and the wisdom of my Qigong practice created a basis of rootedness in life itself, which is unshakable.
Now I feel I can contribute to a regenerative world directly through the way I live my life, leading from within, consciously nourishing my life force and sharing my light. Inspired by Ilya Prigogine, I believe that small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos can shift an entire complex system to a higher order. That’s the elixir of journeying consciously and embracing at a deeper level my personal leadership mantra.
Living a Regenerative Life
In practice, this is how it looks in my daily life:
Nourishing Life Force: Practicing and sharing Qigong through www.centrumvoorqigong.nl, co-founded with Lead True coach Petra van Dieren.
Supporting Local & Global Initiatives: Contributing to my local regenerative farming cooperative, the www.homeforhumanity.earth movement, the www.embassyofthefreemind.com and other regenerative projects.
Being a beacon: By committing to bring love, light, and fun to my family and community.
Honoring the Ancestors: Embodying the vision and voice that generations of women before me could not openly share.
The Lead True model and my Qigong practices helped me make this shift from seemingly more important managerial leadership roles to a more personal leadership purpose. Leading from within. This is how I came to embody my own vision. It took a whole lot of moving inwards, outwards, inwards and outwards again. In ever widening circles.
Let’s Connect and Co-Create
I hope this story inspires you. If you are interested in my journey around sixty, please check out www.ronddezestig.nl (in Dutch).
And if you feel like joining me on a long-distance hike or a coaching in nature session, I am here to listen, to share and to co-create.
Pajama party for the Soul
Or you can join the Pajama Party for the Soul, April 8-12, 2027, in the Ardennes. One of these meaningful Lead True events where the energies of different ‘islands of coherence’ can meet, feel the resonance, strengthen each other and bring renewed, extra energy back home. Please feel welcome, learn more, and let me know if you will be there.
About the Author
Explorer and liaison officer, Marjolein Nagel, has been an affiliate with the Lead True network since 2010. Marjolein has over 20 years experience as an independent management consultant, specializing in communication and change management in the public sector, locally, nationally and internationally. She is committed to connecting people with organizational strategy. She loves supporting leaders who are facing complex situations. She is a weaver, connecting the dots, more and more leading from within, for a regenerative world. Which means a world that is aligned with all life on earth, now and in the future.
