Leading from the Inside Out with Somatic Intelligence

When it comes to making good decisions, especially in leadership roles, we are often told to be logical, strategic and rational. And while those skills absolutely matter, they are only part of the picture. What about the knots in your stomach before a meeting? The tension that spikes between your shoulder blades when someone is avoiding responsibility? Or the warmth and calm you feel when a team member shows true collaboration and integrity?

That inner compass - those sensations and signals that rise up in your body before your brain has fully named the problem - is what we call body intelligence. Also known as somatic awareness, it refers to your ability to recognize, interpret and respond to the messages coming from your body. For many of us this is a skill that has been underdeveloped or even dismissed. But in leadership especially this inner awareness can be a powerful ally!

What Is Somatic Intelligence?

At its core, somatics is about tuning into the felt sense of the body. The word “somatic” comes from the Greek word soma, meaning “the living body.” A somatic approach invites us to listen to our body as a source of wisdom rather than just a vehicle that carries our brain from meeting to meeting.

Somatic intelligence isn’t just useful in personal growth, it’s highly practical in professional and leadership settings too.

When you cultivate somatic awareness, you can begin to:

• Make more aligned decisions

• Notice subtle cues in relationships

• Recognize early signs of stress or burnout

• Discern when something just isn’t quite right

That last one is especially important in leadership!

Leadership and the Wisdom of the Body

Whether you lead a team of two or twenty, you’re probably familiar with the kind of stress that isn’t just mental, it’s physical. Maybe your jaw tightens when you're gearing up for a difficult conversation. Maybe your gut clenches when someone is pushing boundaries or creating confusion. These reactions are not irrational they are information. Your body is often the first to detect misalignment.

For example, imagine you’re a clinic director or team lead, and you’ve brought someone new onto your team. On paper everything checks out. But a few weeks in you notice a strange heaviness when their name pops up in your inbox. You feel yourself holding your breath in meetings with them. There's a vague sense of dread or tension that builds in your chest before any 1:1 conversation.

Your body is telling you something.

Maybe this person consistently avoids following established procedures. Maybe they find subtle ways to challenge your leadership: ignoring protocols, skirting policies or pushing back in ways that feel off. They might avoid accountability or even subtly gaslight you: “I thought we agreed on something different” or “I never got that email.” You start to question yourself. Even before your mind has gathered the evidence, your body already knows. That knowing is worth listening to.

How Disrespect and Misalignment Feel in the Body

When someone is not a good fit for your team (especially if they’re acting in ways that are disrespectful or manipulative) it often registers in the body before we have language for it.

Here are some common somatic signals that something may be off:

• A tight jaw or clenched fists after meetings

• A sense of being drained or “off” around a particular person

• Shallow breathing or feeling frozen when a boundary is crossed

• A sudden drop in energy or enthusiasm after interactions

• Persistent gut discomfort or headaches when thinking about team issues

These are not just physical symptoms. They are your nervous system trying to communicate with you!

When we dismiss these signals or override them with logic (“But they’re so qualified!” or “I don’t want to rock the boat”), we often end up prolonging situations that drain us. Over time, this can lead to emotional exhaustion, burnout, or conflict that could have been avoided if we had listened earlier.

Sometimes, your body knows it is time to let someone go even before your mind is ready to make the call. You might notice a deep, consistent unease in your gut, a sense of bracing whenever you interact with them, or a heavy emotional load that lingers long after conversations. When someone consistently disregards policies, refuses accountability, or gaslights you or others on the team it can create a somatic imprint of unsafety. Your nervous system may start signaling, This isn’t sustainable. And while termination is never an easy decision, especially in caring professions, your body may be alerting you to a deeper truth: psychological and emotional safety - for you, your team, and your clients - is non-negotiable. Listening to these cues is not just about protecting yourself; it’s about protecting the integrity of the workplace.

Building Somatic Awareness as a Leader

Somatic intelligence is not about reacting impulsively to every bodily sensation. It’s about cultivating a relationship with your body where you can interpret those signals with curiosity and discernment.

Here are a few ways to begin developing this awareness:

• Pause and check in: Before and after meetings, take 30 seconds to notice how your body feels. Are you holding tension? Is there a shift in your energy?

• Journal the body: Try writing down sensations you feel during key interactions. Over time, patterns will emerge.

• Breathe into discomfort: If something feels “off,” stay with the sensation. Ask yourself: What is this trying to tell me?

• Notice the “yes”: Your body doesn’t just warn you - it also signals safety. Notice when you feel open, warm, and grounded around others. That’s information too.

The more attuned you are to your somatic experience, the more equipped you are to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Working with a Somatic Therapist

Sometimes we need help reconnecting with our body’s wisdom, especially if past experiences have taught us to shut it down. Trauma, stress, and social conditioning can all cause us to override our somatic cues.

That’s where somatic therapy can be incredibly helpful!

A somatic therapist in Hamilton (or wherever you live) can support you in:

• Developing a deeper connection to your body

• Understanding your nervous system’s patterns

• Learning to regulate emotional and physical responses

• Rebuilding trust in your inner signals

• Making decisions that are grounded and embodied

Whether you’re navigating a difficult team dynamic, stepping into a new leadership role or just trying to build a more connected and authentic life, somatic work offers powerful tools for insight and transformation.

And for Leaders...

Leadership is not just about strategy, it’s about integrity, alignment and relationship. And your body is one of your most reliable partners in navigating all three. It holds the memory of what feels safe, true and trustworthy, and it will nudge you when something (or someone) is not.

If you are curious about building your body intelligence, consider starting with personal reflection, breathwork or gentle somatic practices. And if you’re ready to go deeper working with a somatic therapist can help you strengthen this connection and bring more clarity into your life and leadership.

At Making Space Psychotherapy we understand the power of the body in healing and growth. If you’re looking for a somatic therapist in Hamilton we’re here to support you on the journey.

Your body already knows. The question is—are you ready to listen?