How is it that personal leadership—and the leadership of others—often remains largely unchanged, despite costly personal development and management training or coaching?
This is a question that has occupied my mind for decades.
I vividly recall working in the 1990s for a renowned training and consultancy firm staffed by psychologists, when this very question arose.
Why did participants in communication or management training courses so often revert to their old behaviors after just a few weeks—or sometimes even days? A colleague literally said: “That’s just the way people are, their personality; you can’t change that.”
The answer intrigued me.
Hmm, is that really true?* I wondered.
Is there something else—beyond behavior and skills—that shapes our actions, our choices, and our (personal) leadership? Is there something we all share—transcending culture and religion—that determines all our behaviors and choices? Something universal?
Driven by that question, I spent years as a spiritual explorer searching for answers. After years of experience with thousands of clients, along with studies, training courses, seminars, conferences, visits to (spiritual) gurus, and numerous journeys to indigenous peoples around the world, things began to fall into place.
What emerged was remarkable.
On the one hand, it didn't seem like anything new, yet I had never before encountered the ‘interplay of three these hidden forces’ quite the way it was revealed to me—literally—in a dream during the summer of 2007.
While in Sweden, I woke up around 3:00 a.m. and felt a compelling need to write down what I had dreamt. In that dream, it suddenly became clear to me that everything takes on a different color and meaning depending on whether the ‘ego’ holds sway, the ‘soul’ reigns, or consciousness/‘spirit’ exerts a dominant influence. Everything would change as a result: your view of the world, your values and norms, your thoughts, your feelings, your language, your choices, and your behavior. Truly everything!
I was euphoric about this revelation, which sparked a thought: what would it be like to use these three concepts as a starting point—distinct from the existing models of consciousness? I woke up buzzing with energy and went downstairs to jot down these insights. This later became the core philosophy reflected in my book: *Spirited Personal Leadership* – for working more effectively, meaningful living, and creating a better world.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW THESE THREE HIDDEN FORCES SHAPE YOUR BEHAVIOR?
And how you can experience greater joy, vitality, and a sense of purpose at work and living?
THEN DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF SAMPLE (containing one-third of the content) HERE, or BUY THE BOOK HERE: https://martinthoolen.com/en/publicaties/
I hope it brings you great clarity, inspiration, and enjoyment.
Warm regards, Martin
