(I014) The Wise Owls in the Tree: Curating Your Kensho Flock for Resilient Leadership
The Power of Guidance in Leadership
Leadership, at its core, is not about standing alone but about thriving within a network of connection, wisdom, and support. My father often spoke of cynosure — not just as a guiding star but as a practice of self-realization rooted in attunement to one’s surroundings. This idea resonates profoundly in leadership: to see clearly, listen deeply, and navigate with purpose.
These principles come to life through the metaphor of the Wise Owls—those figures who guide, challenge, and inspire us as leaders. Over the years, I’ve built what I call my Kensho Flock, a deeply personal practice rooted in the wisdom of great minds, Japanese philosophy, and resilience.
What Is the Kensho Flock?
The Kensho Flock is a concept uniquely my own, crafted from years of personal practice and shaped by the philosophies of Andrew Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, and Jim Collins. Inspired by their insights into mastermind groups and advisory boards, this idea is further enriched by the symbolism of wise owls and my Japanese heritage. The term itself reflects a fusion of these influences, with kensho (見性)—a Zen concept of awakening or seeing into one’s true nature—serving as its philosophical anchor.
At its heart, the Kensho Flock represents a circle of wise and influential guides who illuminate your path to growth and awakening. It is about intentionally curating a group of voices, mentors, and influences that challenge, inspire, and support you.
This practice has been a cornerstone of my growth as a leader. By connecting deeply with my rooted values and embracing the lessons of Hill’s mastermind group and Collins’ advisory board, the Kensho Flock becomes a modern interpretation of timeless wisdom. These frameworks remind us of the transformative power of surrounding ourselves with the right influences, much like Carnegie did with his own visionary circle.
Why the Kensho Flock Matters for Resilient Leadership
Resilience is not built in isolation; it grows in connection. Just as trees in a forest share nutrients through their roots, leaders thrive when they draw from the wisdom of their ecosystem. However, true growth often requires looking beyond the familiar boundaries of our immediate environment. The most resilient leaders intentionally seek nourishment from diverse sources, allowing their leadership tree to flourish in unexpected ways.
The Kensho Flock reflects this truth: it’s about assembling a personal network of guides, much like the owls in Harry Potter, who traverse vast distances to deliver clarity, inspiration, and sometimes challenges we need to confront. These Wise Owls—messengers of wisdom—remind us that leadership is not a solitary endeavor but one enriched by connection and shared insight.
In the metaphor of the Resilient Leadership Tree, the Wise Owls perch in the canopy, offering perspective and teaching us that leadership is not about dominance but attunement. Just as owls in Harry Potter navigate effortlessly between realms, carrying vital messages and connecting people across great distances, the Wise Owls in your Kensho Flock connect you to perspectives beyond your own. These guides serve as symbolic reminders that growth often comes from stepping outside familiar surroundings and into new, sometimes challenging, territories.
Among the Wise Owls in my Kensho Flock, Nathalie Blais, founder of Coach Academy and my teacher on becoming a coach, stands out as an extraordinary guide. Her journey exemplifies resilience, nurturing, and vision. Nathalie shared how her leadership path was not meticulously planned but emerged through curiosity, commitment, and the encouragement of others who saw potential in her. She described resilience as being fueled by adversity, using challenges to build the foundation for her vision. Nathalie’s dedication to nurturing others mirrors the leadership tree—grounded in values and extended through the development of others. Her story reminds us that great leaders cultivate their ecosystems with care, creating ripples of growth and impact.
John C. Maxwell’s Laws of Leadership reinforce this idea. His principle of the Law of the Lid teaches that our leadership potential is only as strong as our willingness to raise our own limitations—often through learning from others who have already overcome similar challenges. The Law of Connection emphasizes the importance of relationships that inspire trust and mutual growth. And the Law of the Inner Circle reminds us that the people we surround ourselves with determine the trajectory of our growth. These laws highlight the value of seeking guidance not just from within but also from those who operate at higher levels of wisdom and resilience.
Resilient leaders are like trees that extend their roots far and wide, intertwining with others for mutual strength while also reaching upward for light and inspiration beyond their immediate ecosystem. By embracing these principles and intentionally seeking diverse sources of wisdom, leaders ensure their tree grows strong, vibrant, and enduring.
The Practice: Building Your Kensho Flock
Here’s how you can cultivate your own Kensho Flock:
Reflect on Your Influences: Think about the individuals—whether personal mentors, historical figures, or thought leaders—whose wisdom has shaped your decisions and inspired your growth. These are the roots of your leadership tree, anchoring you to a foundation of wisdom.
Curate Your Flock: You can deliberately assemble your group of Wise Owls. Include a mix of perspectives to challenge and enrich your understanding, like branches extending outward to capture new sources of light and knowledge.
Engage With Their Wisdom: Whether through books, podcasts, or direct conversations, make time to learn from and reflect on the insights they offer. This is the sunlight that fuels your growth, energizing your leadership journey.
Revisit and Revise: As your journey evolves, so too will your Kensho Flock. Regularly assess and expand your group to ensure it aligns with your current goals and challenges.
Anchoring the Flock in Japanese Wisdom
The uniqueness of the Kensho Flock lies in its grounding in Japanese culture. In Japan, owls (fukurō) symbolize luck, wisdom, and protection. They evoke a sense of quiet strength and attunement to the rhythms of nature—qualities that resonate deeply in the context of leadership.
Just as the Zen principle of kensho teaches us to see our true nature, the practice of cultivating a Kensho Flock encourages us to see ourselves through the wisdom of others. It’s a journey of self-awareness, resilience, and growth that connects us to something greater than ourselves.
Drawing From the Giants: Hill, Carnegie, and Collins
The Kensho Flock is deeply inspired by the philosophies of Napoleon Hill, who emphasized the power of the mastermind group in Think and Grow Rich. Hill’s idea, which stemmed from his work with Andrew Carnegie, highlighted how surrounding oneself with diverse and visionary thinkers could amplify success and innovation.
Jim Collins builds on this in his concept of the personal advisory board, a deliberate practice of assembling voices that expand our thinking and hold us accountable to our highest potential. The Kensho Flock takes these principles and infuses them with Japanese cultural wisdom, creating a practice that is both timeless and uniquely personal.
A Call to Action: Define Your Kensho Flock
Who are the Wise Owls in your life—those loyal messengers of wisdom who expand your horizons and guide your growth? Reflect on the voices in your personal flock, much like Harry’s Hedwig, who carry messages that connect you to a deeper understanding of yourself and your purpose. Consider the following:
Whose wisdom do you turn to in moments of uncertainty?
Which voices consistently expand your perspective?
How do these guides shape your growth as a leader?
Take time to curate your Kensho Flock with intention, embracing the lessons they offer and the resilience they inspire.
Resilient leadership is not a solitary endeavor—it thrives in connection. Like Hedwig delivering a letter or an owl perched in the canopy of your leadership tree, the wisdom of your Kensho Flock connects you to guidance beyond yourself. These Wise Owls remind us that growth is a collective journey, one rooted in humility, attunement, and the courage to learn from others.
“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.” - Queen Elizabeth II
The wisdom of the tree lies in its perpetual growth, continually reaching for the sky while deepening its roots. Similarly, as leaders, our journey is one of constant learning and expansion.
And so, as you reflect on the wisdom of your ecosystem, ask yourself: Who is in your Kensho Flock, and how will their guidance shape the leader you aspire to become?
To continue exploring the journey of The Resilient Leader: Wisdom of the Tree, visit my website www.ensomindset.com. Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive insights, practical tools, and updates on The Resilient Leader: Wisdom of the Tree. Follow along for more reflections, stories, and strategies to grow as a leader rooted in authenticity, resilience, and purpose. Whether you’re looking to cultivate your own Kensho Flock, align with your ecosystem, or explore personalized coaching services, let’s grow together.
Ensō Mindset turns your "And so” moment into a legacy of leadership.
In coaching sessions, I noticed how 'and so' sounded like 'enso'—profound moments where clarity emerged, turning reflection into decisive action. These moments align challenges with purpose, giving leaders the conviction to step forward with authenticity, creating ripples that extend far beyond themselves.
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References
Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t. HarperBusiness. https://www.jimcollins.com/
Hill, N. (1937). Think and Grow Rich. The Ralston Society. https://www.naphill.org/
Maxwell, J. C. (2007). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You. Thomas Nelson. https://www.maxwellleadership.com/ John C. Maxwell Leadership Center
Canada Coach Academy. (n.d.). Meet our director of training. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://canadacoachacademy.com/meet-our-director-of-training/ Nathalie Blais
Suzuki, S. (1970). Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. Weatherhill.
Hisamatsu, S. (1971). Zen and the Fine Arts. Kodansha International.
Brown, B. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. Hazelden Publishing. https://brenebrown.com/ Brené Brown
Eurich, T. (2017). Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think. Crown Business.https://www.tashaeurich.com/ Tasha Eurich
Rowling, J. K. (1998). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Scholastic. https://www.jkrowling.com/
