Transforming Your Leadership and Life
What if the most profound shifts in leadership come not from doing more, but from doing differently?
These are the profound teachings I learned from my mentor, Sobonfu Somé, whose Dagara traditions from Burkina Faso hold timeless truths that remain deeply relevant today. These lessons form the heart of my book: Walking With Sobonfu: A Guide to Claiming Your Authenticity and Deepening Your Sense of Community.
Leadership as Relationship, Not Authority
Sobonfu taught that true leadership begins with connection — to your community, to the land, and to your own spirit. In her tradition, a leader is not the one who stands apart, but the one who stands among. They do not claim power; they share it.
This reframing asks us to look honestly at how we lead. Are we holding power over our teams? Or are we cultivating power with them — co-creating solutions, honoring each voice, and ensuring decisions reflect the collective?
The Ritual of Listening
In Western culture, leadership often prizes quick answers and immediate action. Sobonfu modeled a different approach: slowing down enough to listen deeply — not just to words, but to silences, emotions, and what is unspoken.
In Dagara tradition, listening is an act of service. It’s a ritual that creates the space for truth to emerge. Imagine if your meetings, strategy sessions, and even difficult conversations began with that kind of listening — what clarity and trust might it build?
The Elemental Map for Modern Leadership
One of Sobonfu’s most powerful teachings was the elemental wisdom of Water, Earth, Fire, Mineral, and Nature. Each element offers guidance:
Water teaches compassion and emotional intelligence.
Earth anchors stability and long-term vision.
Fire ignites transformation and action.
Mineral holds the wisdom of story and ancestry.
Nature restores balance and innovation.
Leaders who integrate these elements into their decision-making bring a rare balance of heart and strategy — an antidote to burnout and disconnection.
The Courage to Lead with Soul
Sobonfu reminded us that leadership is sacred work. It asks for courage, humility, and the willingness to grow alongside those you lead. To walk with Sobonfu is to lead not just with your head, but with your whole being.
When you lead with soul, you build more than successful projects — you create healthy ecosystems where people, ideas, and communities can thrive.
Your Turn:
If you are ready to explore leadership through the lens of ancient wisdom, begin with one question: What would change if I led with listening, relationship, and elemental balance at the center?
Join us at It’s Elemental (October 3–6, 2025) — a transformational retreat in the Berkshires where we’ll dive deeply into the elemental teachings Sobonfu shared, and learn to apply them in leadership, life, and community.
Reserve your spot today ➜