Patricia Campanile, Senior Edgewalker Associate
Dr. Judi Neal, author of “Edgewalkers: People and Organizations that Take Risks, Build Bridges and Break New Ground” (Praeger 2006) defines Edgewalkers as “people who walk between worlds and have the ability to build bridges between different worlds. They have a strong inner life and are very grounded and effective in the everyday external world.” There are five Archetypes of Change that people and organizations may take, depending on the situation. They affect the extent to which the individual or organization can truly be on the leading edge. The Edgewalker Archetype looks to the future and is focused on openness to possibilities.
“Edgewalkers” are needed now more than ever in the New Year, in the NEW ERA. How do you know if you are an Edgewalker – walking, working, living on the leading edge? I have a distinct memory of first hearing the word when my long time friend and colleague Dr. Judi Neal was writing the book and birthing the idea. I felt instantly connected to the word “Edgewalkers” and was excited that there was a term, a way of being that I could relate to. I have always felt different and lived out of the box. My whole life I sensed that I was called to do something something special in world. I live an unusual yet exciting nomadic lifestyle full of adventure, wonder, magic. My (w) holistic shift in perspective includes embracing diversity and assisting my coaching clients and organizations in bridging new ways of thinking and being. I seek guidance and make choices in my life and work based on trusting my strong intuition and living first from the inside out and then the outside in. I seek to walk between worlds as I integrate the spiritual and the earthly. My strong foundation is built on a rich spiritual life combined with grounded down-to-earth, strategic and practical skills.
As we bridge this pivotal time in the world, we can create our future and use the chaos and uncertainty we find ourselves in as an opportunity to break new ground and expand our possibilities. Edgewalkers are often global, Universal citizens who often have an unusual combination of interests, speak many languages and are familiar with many cultures. Strongly aware of the problems of the whole planet, Edgewalkers want to see more action taken. They are not afraid of risk taking, making changes and recognizing the importance of evolutionary transformation during this fertile time in history. As leaders they are different from the typical leader you might find in an organization. For example, they naturally listen beyond the words that are spoken and align their work with their deepest values. They are not afraid to explore new ideas and wonder about what the next new thing is in their field or area of interest. There are many Edgewalkers in the world. You are not alone. We are increasingly attracting and connecting with our “tribe”, our people, as we provide one another support, growth, collaboration, community and focused vision.
Fellow Edgewalkers we embrace you, celebrate you, invite you to join us on this evolutionary journey. Now more than ever this New Year is the perfect time, a New Era, to consciously choose and courageously contribute our innovative ideas, creative solutions, unique experiences, and Divine gifts to the planet. We are the ones we have been waiting for!
Happy New Year, my friend and all. Yes, we are needed now more than ever. We love to change, and change is a keyword for these times for all. Grateful you are in my tribe.
What an exciting time we chose to live in and assist the planet in transformation and awakening.
What joy!
I hope to see you in person one day soon. Hugs. Always in Love. Janet StraightArrow
Wonderful to hear from you dear Janet! Happy New Year! I appreciate your words, support, vision, energy and contribution to the world. Amazing times we are in. I do hope our paths cross.
Love and support and abundance of blessings in the coming year.
Patricia
Dear Patricia, I wondered why I felt increasingly uncomfortable with your final comment – ‘we are the ones we have been waiting for’. I have not taken the process that might identify me as an ‘Edgewalker’ and yet have lived my life in complete accord with Judi’s description. It has been a life of great challenges and frequent disappointment as various ways were devised to ‘move me on’ and take over what I had helped create without understanding what was needed to sustain it. The most common comment offered to me when I left was that I was sensed as ‘a humble gentleman’, and it was warmly offered and accepted. Whilst I had a different way of sensing the role required by a leader in a variety of roles, I was always aware that I was not ‘different’, I merely had a different point of view – generally more universal in context. I knew that in order to change the culture of the organisation I needed to be sensed as ‘one of them – not someone apart’. In every case it began with the shared creation of a vision, something they had never considered before; or if they had it was a mission or marketing statement rather than a true vision. I may have been the only one with an appreciation of what a vision must contain, but we had to create and craft it as a team. Once that was achieved I could use it to engage in further dialogue with each director to realign their orientation and style of management to achieve a coherent and consistent approach to management that revealed a more compassionate management style. For me at least, the key issue was that I was not seen or sensed as anything ‘different’, just another person who wanted to enjoy my work more, be approachable and not to be feared. It worked every time, except when I had not identified those who had such an intimidating hold over their staff that was difficult to uncover. So, in the end I failed them as they were the ones who schemed to oust me and take over to rule again. I had missed the key issue and yet was always aware of where the challenge would come from, the sense of separation that such ‘leaders’ felt that made them ‘The leader’ of their team. To move this to the spiritual level, the passage from adolescence occurs when you cease sensing yourself as separate and realise that you aren’t, you are an observer that is also ‘all that is’. The conscious mind or ego seeks to persuade you that you are unique and different, but at a deeper spiritual level we cannot be because we are all that is, eternal, non-judgemental and compassionate.
I always felt that by being sensed as a humble person I had succeeded as a leader, creating the difference that made the difference but without using ‘power’ to do so, thereby empowering all to be themselves. I also hoped they would realise that in being themselves their lives could and did improve dramatically in many ways. I can also admit that there were times early on when I really wanted recognition and honours for what I thought I had achieved, but as my spiritual practice deepened I realised the impact this would have in increasing the difference and separation I would experience. I don’t market or promote what I do and yet I am amazed by the way people find their way to me – always by chance, and I am happy to help when I can. So can we re-consider whether ‘we’ are really separate from others, or just people who choose to use their gifts to work with others?
Thank you for taking the time to not only read my blog Rex but share so deeply and authentically your journey as a conscious leader. Your perspective was very meaningful for me and one that I am integrating and have actually considered this. I do agree with you and resonate with the truth that on a spiritual level we are all one. There is no need for recognition. When I wrote” we are the ones we have been waiting for” it is merely a call for Edgewalkers or anyone who is conscious, inner connected, ready and inspired to make a difference and contribute our gifts in the world. It is not to separate us or suggest we are somehow better or unique. Though we are each one of a kind in our outer expression and ways in which we show up and share who we are, we are also connected in truth at the level of Spirit. The world need each of us (not just Edgewalkers) to shine in our highest light and purpose. I hope this helps. Blessings! Patricia