August 4, 2022

Poetry and Leadership

By Ken Giglio, Principal of Mindful Leadership

Poetry and leadership go together more than you might think. Poetry uses words to reveal the essence of life, what it feels like and means to be alive. More than any other form of writing, poetry connects us to ourselves, others, and the wider world.

All leaders could use this increased depth of connection, and reading poetry is a great to start. No need to memorize poems or recite verse at picnics or barbecues. Instead, we suggest beginning with a good anthology (see below) to get a sense of the authors and kind of poetry you are drawn to.

You might also enjoy one of my favorite poets, David Whyte, who also consults to corporations. “He lives and writes at the frontier between deep internal experience and the revelations of the outer world.” You can access his writing here.