Conscious Leadership

By Danielle Marie Hewitt

This Book is a Lifeline to Assist You in Learning How To Develop The Tools to Navigate Everything Which Comes Your Way in Everyday Life.

From Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Best Practices You Can Feel More Confident and Empowered to Lead The Life Of Your Choice.

Conscious Leadership is a step-by-step methodology to help you develop the tools to feel empowered and to create a life of your own while simultaneously creating healthy and intimate relationships with your loved ones, friends and colleagues.

These simple and straightforward steps will guide you to see how easy it is to do once you commit to understanding you can do everything in life you want without sacrificing relationships with your friends, family, community, or culture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798823013574

Danielle Marie Hewitt

DANIELLE MARIE HEWIT, CPA, MBA, Ordained Minister is a lifelong advocate of finding ways to improve any situation for herself and others. Whether it is career, marriage, children, parents, friends or any other situation or relationship, there is always a way to make it better gracefully, lovingly and compassionately for everyone concerned. She believes we all have the power and right to improve any life situation we face and that we can make those improvements with skill, patience, love, and gentleness.

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© 2023 Danielle Marie Hewitt. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  01/29/2024

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1358-1 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1357-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023915896

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views

of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Forward

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Advanced Praise For Conscious Leadership

Preface

Introduction

PART 1:   WH AT IS CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP?

Chapter 1     Inner Wisdom

Chapter 2     Integrity

Chapter 3     The Bigger Picture

Chapter 4     Making Conscious Choices

PART 2:   HOW TO BECOME A CONSCIOUS LEADER IN A

COMM UNITY, IN A BUSINESS, OR IN YOUR OWN LIFE

Chapter 5     Who Are You? and do You Know what You Want?

Chapter 6     Hit the Pause Button and Look before you Leap

Chapter 7     Going Long : Avoid Choices that take only the Short-Term View.

Chapter 8     Reflective Decision Making : What is the Ripple Effect of my Path and Actions?

Chapter 9     Contemplate the After-Effects : Is this Really what I Wanted? and it’s Okay if it Isn’t?

Chapter 10   Learning to Process : This isn’t Therapy, it’s just Clear Thinking.

Chapter 11   Razor Sharp Focus : Do More in Less Time

Chapter 12   Debunking the Myth of Multitasking : Doing even More in Less Time

Chapter 13   Live in the Now : You’re just all Grown Up Now, Leave the Past in the Past

Chapter 14   Be Your Own Person : Do you lose yourself in a relationship

Epilogue

About The Author

Contact Information

Charitable Contributions

Footnotes

FORWARD

Forward by Choury DeVelle, BSc, NLP, CHt.

Author of "The Message and Nemah."

Both available on Amazon.com

I have never been asked to write a forward to another person’s book before, I’ve only written my own, so when Reverend Danielle asked me to do this for her, I was flattered, but concerned. Flattered, because I consider Danielle to be a very good friend and kindred spirit. There are so many things I admire about Danielle, too many to mention here but, if I were to isolate the one thing that I admire the most about her it’s that she is authentic. She is, as they say, the real article. Her heart and soul are in every word of this book. My only concern is that sometimes admiration can skew a person’s perspective and I do not want my words to sound contrived. In any case, my intuition tells me to simply let the words fall where they may.

I first met Danielle when I was looking for a place to start my private practice as a Clinical Hypnotherapist. I was attending The Holistic Healing Fair at a place called ‘The Temple of Light’ which she refers to in Chapter 7 of this book. This event was basically, a showcase for Psychics, Mediums, Clairvoyants, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, Reiki Masters, Numerologists, Crystal Healers, Massage Therapists, and anything else you can possibly think of that has to do with holistic, naturopathic and/or spiritual healing. The atmosphere was amazing. My first thought was whoever put this event together is a person after my heart.

Danielle was everywhere, running the entire show along with scheduling half-hour talks for speakers and healers from morning until evening. Planning, scheduling, and taking care of all the details of this monthly, monumental event was a full-time job in and of itself. What I didn’t know was that she was also renting this huge structure and subleasing individual offices to all the healers who needed a place to hang their shingles. If that wasn’t enough, in her spare time, as if there was any, she was the founder, contributor and editor in chief of a bi-monthly publication for the spiritual community called ‘Radiance Magazine.’ When I finally had a chance to talk to her, she was in the middle of multi-tasking, but it didn’t seem to faze her one bit. Danielle was charming, cheerful, happy, and loving every minute of this event. I was impressed. We became instant friends and within a month I became a resident at the temple, and I happily stayed until it closed its doors in 2017.

After reading ‘Conscious Leadership I have to say, once again, I am impressed. Although there is a great deal of practicality in this book, one can clearly see that it is deeply rooted in spirituality. Sadly, all too often, there is the general assumption that there are two types of people in this world; those who are practical and those who are spiritual. It’s like standing or sitting, you can do one or the other but certainly not at the same time. I beg to differ, clearly, Danielle is both. She is a deeply spiritual person who has found a way to combine her spirituality with her intellect and excellent business acumen.

She brought her practical CPA skills to the spiritual community and ran an amazing organization for 10 years. In this book she does it again. Whether the reader is spiritually inclined or not, he/she will find great value in Danielle’s principles, systems, and procedures.

In my practice I often work with Doctors, Lawyers, CEOs, and high-end management people who have many people working for them. In my leadership training programs I will emphasize many of the principles that Danielle outlined in this book. I would go so far as to say that it could be used as template or even a ‘word doc’ for how to run a good business. I would go even further to say, it could also be used as an excellent template from which to approach life.

One of the many pearls of wisdom in this book is in the first chapter on Inner Wisdom. She gives you a salient methodology on how to go about finding it. When you clear out the dramas and traumas, what’s left is clarity, confidence, and optimism because you know that the universe is always working for you. That’s not just some ‘ho-hum, rose-colored glasses, Pollyanna-ish, rhetorical statement, it’s the truth. Whether it involves making good business decisions or deciding on a partner in life, trusting your inner wisdom (or intuition) is fundamental. Throughout this book she is asking you to ask yourself many tough questions, but behind those tough questions, are answers that will change your life in a very powerful, positive way.

Perhaps the most important truth behind all the processes and procedures in this book is the one that drives a person like Danielle to do what she does, it’s called character. She’s on a constant quest to bring out the best in herself. A perfect example of this is when the time came to close the Temple of Light; Danielle was heartbroken. She could have kept it a secret until the end but, as always, her integrity motivated her to let myself and the other renters know well in advance that we were going to have to seek other accommodations for our businesses. This could have put her in a very compromised position because she might have had to come up with the last month’s rent out of her own pocket but telling us the truth was more important to her. That incident, in and of itself, tells you all you need to know about her character.

The beauty of this book is that the principles herein can and do apply to every area of life, from successful business practices to positive personal relationships, to psychological and emotional wellbeing, which ultimately translates into promoting your best physical health.

If I could sum up this excellent book into a few sentences, I’d say this: There is no ‘one single best version of yourself’. Everything in this world is changing and if we’re going to be happy, we have to change too. We have to be willing to move forward with courage, integrity, love and patience in order to find the best in ourselves. And if we find it in ourselves, we will surely find it in others. Danielle is challenging you to do that. I hope you’ll take her up on it.

Rock on Danielle! Until our paths cross again, I remain yours in peace, love, and light.

Choury DeVelle BSc, NLP, CHt

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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my husband Ardavan and our four children, Sayeh, Arya, Jocelyn, and Selina. The ones who are closest to us, according to my spiritual mentors, are both a blessing and an affliction. They are in our lives for many reasons which include being a source of both love and support, and simultaneously, helping us to see the truth of who we are. I trust and hope I do the same for them.

While truth seeing is far too often met with at least some resistance, and on occasion, flat out denial, (even some kicking and screaming) only in seeing the truth, as difficult as it is, allows us to become the best version of ourselves.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to acknowledge the many teachers, mentors, professionals, family members, and friends who have offered their wisdom, guidance, and candid feedback with always the absolute best intentions for my continued growth as a person.

To my best friends, Cindy, and Elizabeth, I thank you for your tireless listening without a shred of judgment. You are the most generous of souls and I am grateful for our friendships.

To Betty, thank you for reminding me to engage in the serenity prayer whenever I am feeling out of control in my life.

And most of all, to my husband, Ardavan, who shows me every day what unconditional love feels like. Your steadfast support and partnership are air in my lungs. You are my rock and my superstar. Mi amore, I hope I am all to you, that you are to me.

ADVANCED PRAISE FOR

CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP

This is a leadership book for a new generation of leaders, for a consciously aware generation. It at once separates itself from all others by providing real life lessons and how to apply them in your work and personal life. Michael Cohen Vice president Prior Lake, MN

This book conveys valuable, fundamental, and spiritual truths to help people navigate life. I find Danielle’s book full of wisdom with practical stories and examples to offer readers guidance for relating to people and work situations. Even in the Acknowledgments I found valuable reminders: to practice the Serenity Prayer for courage and clarity. And, to remind myself to be nonjudgmental. I feel Danielle offers the truth of her own experience, the value of moving beyond limitations of our conditioning to follow the guidance of our heart.

Danielle has a way of using her own experience to give an idea of how one could go about walking the path of authenticity and fulfillment with concrete useful tools. There is just so much chaos going on all around us in today’s world. I find her book like a point of shelter in that it gives me ways to be in the craziness and yet use focus, determination, and compassion to get what I want and still be respectful of others. I thank you for this entire experience. Wishing you the best and highest always. Love to you, Pauline Herbert, retired teacher

After reading ‘Conscious Leadership I have to say, I am impressed. Although there is a great deal of practicality in this book, one can clearly see that it is deeply rooted in spirituality. Choury DeVelle, BSc, NLP, CHt. Author of The Message and Nemah.

PREFACE

My father was raised in Pennsylvania in a fervent United Methodist Christian home where good old-fashioned values of working hard, doing chores, helping your parents, and absorbing a punitive belt swat on your bottom from time to time ensured you were not being spoiled. Those were the common values of the era. My father once told me my grandmother said to him if you love your children, you’ll hit them. He then said, "and my parents really loved me." He joined the Air Force when he was 18 years old and found himself stationed in London, England where one night at a local dance, he met my mother. They hit it off right away and in a short time married and moved to the United States where my father, still in the Air Force, was stationed in Long Beach, California.

In Long Beach, my older sister, Karen, and I were born. My mother missed her home and family in England, so my father requested a transfer there which was granted. I was a year old when we moved back to England. We lived in Cambridgeshire which was close to the Air Force base where my father worked as well as being close to Ipswich where my grandmother and a collection of aunts, uncles, and cousins lived. I loved living in England and to this day feel at home when I visit. But my father was ready to leave the air force and wanted to return to California which he fell in love with while stationed there before. My mother was reluctant to live so far away from family, hers in England or his in Pennsylvania, and be so isolated with two small daughters so far away. My fathers’ preference prevailed, as it usually did, so we moved back to Long Beach in 1967. Later, in 1969, we moved to Irvine when it was still unincorporated Orange County. There were slender country roads, orange groves, and eucalyptus trees everywhere. I remember smelling orange blossoms and eucalyptus leaves all the time.

My father decided to get his college education with the assistance of the GI Bill and reminds us with frequency he was a 29-year-old freshman. He worked hard all day, went to classes in the evenings, and studied on the weekend. We hardly saw him, and it took a toll on my parents’ marriage. Listening to them fight became familiar and sometimes it would escalate to some high volume and unkind verbal exchanges. The violence was in the tone and word choice, but not in the physical. It was unsettling and sad. I don’t think they noticed the effect it had on me, and I can only presume, my sister.

My father graduated with a master’s degree in business and industrial Administration and was home a little bit more, but things had not returned to a kind of harmonious home life. He was out several evenings a week and would come home late. They separated for a while but ultimately decided to give the marriage a second chance. I remember one night he came over to talk and my mother had seen to it that my sister and I were in bed early so they could have some privacy. Being invested and interested in the content of their conversation, I snuck down the hall and eavesdropped on them.

I heard my mother (while I cannot remember the exact words) pleading with him to return to the family for reasons which I ascertained were adherence to cultural norms and financial stability, but also, I believe she still loved him and wanted him to come home. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, divorce was very much the exception and not a norm. At that moment, I decided I never wanted to be in a position like hers. I would always be financially and culturally independent, and I would not be afraid of what anyone else thought of my life choices. Dignity and personal choice trumped everything else, or so I thought until much later in life.

It was one of those life carving moments. I never wavered from the determination I declared that night to be independent both financially and culturally. I wanted to lead my own life. I wanted the freedom to be in and leave a relationship if I so chose and was proud to say internally, I am here because I choose to be, not because I need to be for cultural or financial reasons. Even if I was in love, I would not subject myself to an impossibly undignified situation. I think in that moment I decided to love myself the most over and above someone else. It wasn’t until much later in my adult life that I would discover how complicated and potentially non-serving that value system might be.

In 1974 my father accepted a job transfer to move to Wiesbaden, Germany. In the middle of my freshman year of high school, we moved to a foreign country. It took a year or so to get settled, but I did come to enjoy and appreciate my five years there. I learned to speak German, we traveled on weekends to other nearby countries, experienced different cultures, languages, foods, customs, and fashions. I broadened my horizons. I liked to think that I was more worldly than most people my age.

My parents separated in 1977 within a week following my high school graduation. My father lived at home one minute and unceremoniously, not the next. For reasons that I don’t remember now, but made sense to me at the time, I moved out with him to an apartment about a mile from what was our family home. As a result, my mother lived with my sister Karen, and I lived with my father. It was a strange arrangement.

During high school and after my graduation, I worked as a server in the American Officers Club on the local Air Force base. The high school where I had attended housed classes at night as a satellite campus for the University of Maryland. There, I enrolled in classes and managed to complete a few semesters. But, feeling like I was in limbo waiting for my adult life to begin I decided to return home to California on my own in 1979. This decision was much to my parents’ distress. My mother told me she had bad dreams where I was