Have you ever experienced a state flow, that state where everything is going smoothly? When hard work seems effortless? Where tough issues or projects actually give you energy, rather than drain you? Have you ever experienced a time when you were able to take bad news and just roll with it?

Most of us have experienced this even if for a few fleeting moments. You can often glimpse this flow state in world class athletes when they are performing at their peak, even under pressure.  Whether it’s  Michael Jordon as he hits the final three pointer at the buzzer to win the  NBA championship, or a single mom who cares for two kids and keeps a career together all the while showing up authentic, smiling and centered, delivering world class results at work.  Both of these scenarios are examples of what many refer to as being in “the zone.”

This “zone” is a flow state where your head, heart and hara are all aligned and working together, often unintentionally. For many people this is merely a random event when it occurs. Often this will arise in a person’s life and pass quickly with no cognitive recognition on how to prolong this “zone.”  Think back on a time when you were in this space - what were the circumstances, what did you feel, what were your emotions?

With coaching you can learn how to live and work in this “zone” more frequently, even under pressure. I would like to refer to this state as being in “center.”  When not in center an individual is in “personality,” where your ego and superego bump into all the issues of the world. When in the space of personality you are struggling, resisting, and fighting the flow of life.  This can feel exhausting and hopeless.

When you are able to enter this “center” state, your potential for being a good leader is greatly magnified. People are immediately attracted to you; they are ready to go with you into battle.  You are able to give tough feedback directly to others in a compassionate fashion that will resonate deeply with them. You’re capable of riding the ups and downs of the economic world when you work and live in this center state.

There are many public figures (Obama, Dalai Lama) who spend most of their time centered.  There are also several really good executives who work from center as they have discovered (or re-learned) this reference point. Do you know an executive at work who is like this? We all know of too many executives who do their work from personality.

Let “center” become your reference point. Become aware when personality has moved in and taken control.  Note: the path is not about trying to change your personality, but to return to the state of center.  Choose to live proactively in this space of  center. Live and lead in “the Zone!”