Practice 2
Listening to Nature
Principle of Connected Identity
This practice invites you to actively listen—not just to the sounds of nature, but to the intelligence of the ecosystem you’re part of. In a world that often rewards speed and productivity, taking time to attune to natural rhythms becomes a radical act of leadership. Nature is not silent; it is constantly communicating through cycles, patterns, and relationships. When we slow down and engage with presence, we begin to recognize guidance embedded in the living systems around us.
The evidence
Research on forest bathing, called Shinrin-yoku in Japanese, has shown it can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and increase a sense of connectedness with nature (Li, 2022)
Why it matters
With nearly 50% of professionals feeling disconnected from their work (Gallup, 2023), this practice offers a way to realign with broader systems thinking, reconnect to a sense of place, and open to emergent insight. For leaders working on climate, justice, or innovation, nature is not just a setting—it’s a co-facilitator.
Instructions
Choose Your Ecosystem
Visit a natural space—even if small—that includes a variety of life forms: trees, water, soil, insects, birds, fungi. If indoors, sit near a window or with natural elements (a plant, a bowl of water, a stone).
Set a Listening Intention
Begin with a deep breath and reflect: What does this ecosystem want me to know today? or What am I being invited to notice that I usually ignore?
Engage Your Senses
Move slowly. Listen to the rustling of leaves, the buzz of insects, the silence between sounds. Notice textures, temperature shifts, light patterns. These are all ways the ecosystem communicates.
Reflect on Pattern & Relationship
As you listen, consider:
What patterns am I part of?
What relationships here mirror dynamics in my team or work?
Where is there balance or imbalance?
Close with a Response
Rather than leaving the experience behind, ask:
How might this shape how I lead today?
What might I carry back to my organization or team?
Acknowledge the experience with gratitude. Before you leave, take a moment to reflect on what you received from the space. Consider noting a key insight or committing to a small action that honors this moment—something you can bring back into your leadership or team practice.