072: Harnessing Body Wisdom in Leadership with Elena Armijo

2024-06-18

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I'm joined by Elena Armijo, a former opera singer turned executive coach. Elena shares her profound insights on performance, leadership, and the importance of somatic awareness in high-stakes environments. Elena's journey from traveling the world as an opera singer to becoming a leadership coach is inspiring. She discusses how her background in music has given her a unique foundation for her current work, emphasizing the discipline, rigor, and deep connection with the body that singing required. These skills have seamlessly transitioned into her coaching practice, where she helps high performers and leaders navigate their...

Elena's journey from traveling the world as an opera singer to becoming a leadership coach is inspiring. She discusses how her background in music has given her a unique foundation for her current work, emphasizing the discipline, rigor, and deep connection with the body that singing required. These skills have seamlessly transitioned into her coaching practice, where she helps high performers and leaders navigate their professional journeys with authenticity and awareness.

Elena is not only an accomplished singer but also a passionate advocate for bringing somatic awareness into leadership. Through her coaching, she guides leaders to reconnect with their bodies, fostering intuition and presence in high-pressure situations. Her work emphasizes the importance of preparation, not just for performances but for leadership roles as well.

Elena Armijo, Master Certified Coach (MCC), Founder and CEO of The C-Suite Collective, and Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator has a strong track record of supporting clients and organizations in creating impact, culture shifts and leadership development. Her unique ability to identify common patterns while generating new awareness and re-invention leaves clients with the ability to make stronger choices, clearer decisions and powerful steps toward their desired outcomes. Elena offers in-depth and customized executive programs for high performers who are at the top of their respective fields – from CEOs of leading businesses to professional athletes, policy-focused individuals, entertainers, and artists, and more. Partnering with Elena, these clients have created and achieved the professional and personal impact in the world they once perceived unattainable. As a former leader and trainer with Accomplishment Coaching© and CHIEF Core Guide Facilitator, Elena continues to expand her work with teams across the world. Elena also hosts the podcast The Collective Corner.

She was inspired to become an Executive and Leadership Coach through her work as a professional opera singer. Drawn to work with ambitious top performers like herself, she realized she could bring unique insight to the coaching business after spending many years “on the other side of the table.” Elena’s ten-year career in opera spanned across the globe and included work with many prestigious opera companies as well as performances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Elena holds a B.M. of Music Education from New Mexico State University and an M.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Washington.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

The Role of Performance in Leadership: Elena explores the parallels between performing on stage and leading in the boardroom, highlighting the common traits of discipline, preparation, and presence. 🎭
Somatic Awareness in Leadership: Elena delves into the concept of somatic awareness, explaining how being in tune with one's body can enhance leadership effectiveness and decision-making. 🧠
Navigating Fear: Insights into how Elena has made friends with fear, using it as an alert system rather than letting it drive her actions, both in her singing career and in her coaching practice. 🔥
Building and Repairing Containers: The importance of creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive space for dialogue and growth, and having a process for repairing when agreements are broken. 🛠️
Belonging vs. Fitting In: Elena discusses the difference between these concepts and the impact of creating a culture of true belonging in organizations. 🌍
Challenges of Modern Leadership: The conversation touches on the evolving nature of leadership and the heightened need for connection and community in today's world. 📚

We talk about:

00:00 Intro
03:11 Elena's Musical Journey and Early Influences
04:29 Transitioning from Opera to Coaching
06:16 The Importance of Somatic Awareness in Leadership
10:12 Challenges and Realizations in Elena's Career
14:48 Creating a Culture of Belonging
18:45 The Coaching Process and Organizational Impact
25:23 Building Effective Containers for Leadership
27:32 Exploring the Repair Process
28:49 Real-Life Examples of Repair
32:40 Challenges in Repair Conversations
36:12 Supporting Leaders Through Turbulent Times
40:24 Embracing Fear in Performance
42:16 Final Thoughts and Reflections

🌈 Closing Thoughts:

This episode with Elena Armijo provides a thought-provoking exploration of the intersections between performance, leadership, and somatic awareness. Elena's insights challenge conventional leadership practices and offer a fresh perspective on cultivating a leadership style that is both authentic and deeply connected to one's body. Her journey from opera singer to executive coach is a testament to the transformative power of embracing one's full potential.

We encourage listeners to reflect on their own leadership journeys, embrace vulnerability, and consider how somatic awareness can enhance their effectiveness and well-being.

#SomaticLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #Performance #Leadership #Belonging #Trust #Fear

Connect with Elena