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This week we talk to Karen Valencic about using movement to get unstuck
Karen Valencic is the founder of Spiral Impact, an Indianapolis-based speaking, training and development company, which she founded in 1992. Valencic leverages her expertise in communication, science and martial arts to provide a distinct perspective on performance improvement. Karen is the author of the book Spiral Impact: The Power to Get It Done with Grace, and the handbook Giving Deliberate Feedback for Leaders.
As a black belt in Aikido, the Japanese art of reconciliation, Karen weaves examples from the martial art practice mat into her writing and speaking. Aikido is a martial art based on position rather than force. Prior to establishing Spiral Impact, Karen utilized her degree in Mechanical Engineering as a project engineer in the automobile industry.
In This Interview Karen and I Discuss…
- The One You Feed parable
- Aikido: The Japanese Art of Reconciliation
- Position vs. Force
- Her book: Spiral Impact: The Power to Get it Done With Grace
- How the outer world is a depiction of the inner world
- The meaning of the phrase “keep moving and bend your knees”
- The power of movement
- Learning to use Misogi breathing
- Conflict is where all innovation begins
- Creative Tension vs. Destructive Tension
- The importance of remembering the bigger picture in situations
- The power of the Spiral Impact
- When feeling stuck, turn your statements into questions, acknowledgments or both
- Aligning the three levels of intention
- The components of focused energy
- The necessity of letting things rest
- How it’s so much harder to get out of something than it is to get into something
- How we all need support and places we can find it
- The profound truth that something that’s held inside grows bigger while something that’s shared diminishes
Karen Valencic Links
Wilene says
This is a great interview and really good information! I have enjoyed Karen’s insight and knowledge. Thank you
Onja says
Karen, you are a pioneer! Thanks for the practical ways to get unstuck in our thinking by intentional breathing, movement, asking questions. being conscious of body tension. Yoga and QiGong helps for me, but I need reminders!