The Power of Discernment
“When servant leaders practice inspired action with discernment, they model something extraordinary: the balance of courage and wisdom.”
-CG Excellence
There are moments in life when a quiet inner whisper arrives. It may be a thought, an image, or simply a nudge that says: “move now”.
Other times, the whisper says: wait, not yet. The tension between these two calls—action and stillness—reveals one of the greatest powers a person can cultivate: discernment.
Discernment is knowing which sparks hold the fire of transformation and which are merely distractions dressed in urgency.
Wayne Dyer connected discernment with inspiration itself. “When you’re inspired, dormant forces, faculties, and talents come alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed.” Inspiration and discernment dance together - one offers the nudge, the other offers the clarity to follow.
Eckhart Tolle reminds us that “stillness is where creativity and inspired action are found.” Discernment, then, is presence in motion.
Impulse, on the other hand, often comes wrapped in anxiety. It carries the frantic energy of “I have to do this now or lose everything.” Persons who mistake impulse for inspiration find themselves scattered, exhausted, and further from their true path.
Caroline Myss writes, “Discernment is the power to know when to stay in stillness and when to step into action.”
Sandbox Lessons
As children, many of us built sandcastles. Some days we placed each grain with vision, shaping towers and moats with patience and joy. Other days, we flung sand wildly, with no thought beyond the moment.
Inspired action is like shaping the sandcastle with purpose—it may take longer, but the outcome is meaningful.
Impulse is the scattering of sand to the wind.
Discernment is the wisdom to know the difference: when to build, pause, or admire what you’ve already created.
When we honor discernment we step into what Jean Houston calls the possible human - the self that lives from brilliance rather than busyness.
The Cost of Misaligned Action
The true cost of acting without discernment is often underestimated. A rushed decision can unravel trust, scatter teams, or drain energy that could have been invested in a mission-aligned choice. Over time, these missteps create cultures of reaction rather than intention.
When servant leaders practice inspired action with discernment, they model something extraordinary: the balance of courage and wisdom. They show that leadership is the ability to chose meaningful movement.
A Subtle Reminder of Alignment
True servant leadership inspires naturally, and so does alignment in everyday choices—how we speak, how we show up, and even how we care for ourselves.
Alignment is about weaving presence into what you already do. The way you open a meeting, the way you pause before replying, the way you choose what nourishes you each morning and evening. Small acts that carry great energy. Similar to tending to your skin with quiet ritual—hydrating, restoring, reminding yourself that radiance begins from within. If you know, you know, SHRINKELZ® was launched from that same principle.
Living the Magnetism of Discernment
When servant leaders live by inspired action filtered through discernment, they embody magnetism. They become steady, radiant forces that attract trust, opportunity, and collaboration.
Magnetism embodies presence. Inspired action ignites the spark. Discernment ensures the spark lights the right flame.
The next time inspiration whispers, pause. Ask yourself: Is this an impulse or an invitation?
In leadership—and in life—the power is in knowing which actions to honor.
Let’s take the first mindful step to empower your team with a complimentary Discovery Call! You can reach me here: Contact.
Thank you for you kind attention today!
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Yours in service,
Christine
