WOW is pleased to host in its WOWbinar column the precious contribution of Francesca and Luigi Zoia, two experts in mindfulness and growth mindset that have been exceptional speakers, at the webinar “Living in the eye of the storm”, organized by Feminin Pluriel Italia. Luigi Zoia founded CBG (The Conscious Business Group); Francesca Zoia is Mental Health Counselor; you can learn more about their approach to life and work on LinkedIn (@TransformationalConsciousness), Instagram (@thezoias), and their website.
Furthermore, in the book “Cadere sette volte… rialzarsi otto” (e-book on Amazon) Luigi Zoia tells about his life and explains how to ride the wave of energy and redirect it from within to build new futures.
This is how the two speakers present themselves:
Luigi speaks: “At the age of 56 I had achieved all the goals I wanted: two time vice world karate champion, VP at Citibank New York, partner and CEO of HFRE (among the top 10 in Europe), and a family with two daughters. At that point I decided that I wanted to share the teachings of my life with those who were interested. I want to help people to better handle the moments of profound cultural transformation and to find within thems the strength to get up in difficult moments”.
Francesca speaks: “I have a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University and I have experience in the United States working with families and kids with mental health issues. My mission is to bring support, awareness and psychological wellbeing to women.”
What is the era in which we are living in?
We are experiencing a profound transformation (postmodernism) which is crumbling the cultural roots and social norms of our Western society, opening a space for a reality without limits. The acceleration of digital technology is increasing the impact of the crisis and disrupting our old references of external security. People that are deeply disoriented by the sudden freedom created by the disappearance of the security of social norms, are being pushed to regain their own internal security.
In such a fast paced environment how can we live mindfully?
Living mindfully means learning to know ourselves (Socrates): how we build the experience of our reality through our unconscious filters, which are always subjective. We are the ones who create our emotional states, so we are completely responsible for our happiness and our suffering (which is only apparently caused by others). We are free to be victims or protagonists of our lives.
How has the work culture changed?
The old, static and low-risk work culture motivated by safety and necessity is fading. The metaphor of the new work culture is that of a chessboard: we are responsible for our career and we move from one opportunity to another to develop both our potential and that of the company that hosts us. Personal responsibility, performance, greater competitiveness, and adaptation to change are necessary values.
How much / how does this transformation impact a woman’s life?
The postmodernism movement is challenging the rigid role in which women have been imprisoned for millennia. It is creating increased openings and spaces for women in career and leadership. In order for women to continue to fill and manage these spaces, they must find the internal strength to free themselves from the cultural norms with which they had been conditioned.
For example, women are setting great examples of leadership in many fields. The countries that are best managing the Covid pandemic are run by female leaders.
Since these are important issues that cannot be exhausted in a few words, where can we find more information?
“We organize presentations and webinars at the request of groups or associations, such as Feminin Pluriel Italia, to help people find answers to their problems and difficulties. We host workshops that touch on all aspects of this process. In January we are coming out with a new course called “Empower Your Feminine Energy”.
Text by Francesca and Luigi Zoia.
We thank Tiziana Galletta of AREL and Francesca Falsoni of Feminin Pluriel Italia for their collaboration.
