Exploring FEBI in Leadership and Practice
Photo: By Kelly Bannister
By Scott Lillich, Jasleen Kaur, Kelly Bannister, and Nic Etheridge Calder
Why FEBI? A Journey of Embodied Leadership
FEBI offers a way to explore different energy patterns, but understanding these patterns is just the beginning. The real work happens in practice—experimenting, integrating, and learning alongside others.
In the stories below, we share two perspectives on FEBI: one through the lens of live facilitation, where a group engaged in an embodied experience of the patterns, and another through practice reflections. These stories and reflections set the stage for an invitation—to join a new practice community where we can explore FEBI together in an ongoing, supportive environment.
Embodied Energy in Action (Scott’s Story)
“What do you notice in your body?” I said to the group of 20 or so small business owners gathered in a slightly too small conference room. I had just worked up my courage to guide them through a physical experience of the Driver pattern, and I felt a surge of excitement jump up my spine as I watched them willingly tensing their bodies and staring down the imaginary barrel of a gun created by their index fingers and thumbs.
“Tension and tightness,” came the first voice.
“Focus!” said another.
“Intensity! Kind of uncomfortable,” answered a third.
“And in your leadership,” I continued, “what is this good for?”
“Nothing!” a now red-faced woman straining under her exertion blurted out, prompting some slightly uncomfortable laughter from the group.
A long pregnant pause. Every ounce of me wanted to fill the silence, but some other part of me knew I needed to give them time.
“Clarity,” a man in the back finally said in a surprisingly calm voice.
“A sense of urgency,” offered another.
“Okay, now I want you to shake that out,” I said while shaking out my own body. “And find a swaying rhythm,” I continued, swaying back and forth to an imaginary tune.
A couple of people dutifully followed me into the exercise, but a larger number stared at me in confusion with a look on their faces that said, You’ve got to be kidding me. These were garden center and hardware store owners, after all—a far cry from the Yoginis, Zen practitioners, and even Silicon Valley execs I had played with before.
I felt my face flush and a wave of panic shoot up through the front of my body. Breathe! I heard a voice in my head say. Breathe into your Hara!
“Let’s try something else,” I heard myself say to the group. “Close your eyes and imagine the last time you had a huge belly laugh, or think of a loved one or a beloved pet that naturally puts a smile on your face.”
“What do you notice now?”
“Feels good.”
“A feeling of relaxation and warmth.”
“A sense of fun and playfulness.”
“And how does that show up in your leadership?”
“Connecting with others.”
“Making work lighter and more fun.”
“Not taking everything so seriously.”
Phew! Saved! I thought to myself. But deeper down I knew that I was just scratching the surface here—there had to be a better way to give this group a deeper somatic experience…
FEBI as a Practice of Integration (Nic's Reflection)
Just as Scott experienced in his session, FEBI often surprises us with how these patterns show up in leadership and daily life. My own journey with FEBI has been less about a single moment of realization and more about an evolving awareness of how these patterns interplay over time.
When I first received my FEBI report, I saw how certain energy patterns were naturally emphasized in my embodied state while others were less familiar. At first, I thought the goal was to develop ease of access to patterns that were weaker. Over time, I’ve realized that while this goal has value, it’s not the only one. There are many ways to develop and practice FEBI—whether by reducing emphasis on a dominant pattern, increasing access to a less familiar one, or integrating patterns that might initially feel in conflict.
Through my work with non-profit teams, I’ve noticed that the most frequently marginalized energy patterns tend to be Driver and Visionary—patterns that often feel at odds with the collaborative, process-oriented cultures of these organizations. Supporting teams in increasing access to these patterns is important, but the deeper work comes in helping them integrate these energies with those they already use and value.
Recently, a client shared how they color-coded their agenda to track which energy patterns they engaged with most throughout the day. This practice of awareness-building was powerful, helping them see not only where they excelled but also where multiple patterns converged. By observing their work context in this way, they began to recognize when certain tasks or challenges required a blend of patterns rather than just one.
I’ve noticed this in music, too. I once tried making playlists for each of the FEBI patterns, only to find myself relistening and questioning the primary energy behind different songs. Ultimately, a lot of music isn’t just one energy—it’s a dynamic blend. Probably the most potent experience of this kind of integration was a session hosted in the 2024 Leap with FEBI webinar series called FEBI Joy Dance, where Nikki Jackman led a dance-based exploration through each energy pattern. The most impactful moments for me weren’t just experiencing each pattern individually but feeling the transitions between them—the blend of my home pattern with a weaker one, the fluidity of moving from one energy to another.
There is still so much to learn, and I’m grateful to be part of a community with diverse perspectives. One area I’m curious about is breathwork and its relationship to FEBI energy patterns, but that’s just one piece. Learning alongside others allows us to share insights and refine our understanding. By engaging with those who bring different experiences, we can support each other’s growth and deepen our FEBI practice together.
An Invitation to the new FEBI Practice Community Coming Soon…
As we’ve been working toward launching this community, we (Scott, Jasleen, Kelly, and Nic) have been struck by how much we’re learning just by comparing notes and sharing reflections with each other. FEBI practice deepens when explored with others, and we’ve experienced firsthand the power of engaging in this work together.
Next month we'll have more news on this FEBI Practice Community, including a way for you to get involved.
Stay tuned,
Scott, Jasleen, Kelly and Nic
Scott Lillich is an executive coach, an IZL Instructor, and a FEBI certified coach.
Jasleen Kaur is an IZL Instructor, IZL board member, and FEBI certified coach.
Kelly Bannister is an IZL Instructor, Zen student, and a FEBI certified coach.
Nic Etheridge Calder is a regenerative leadership coach and a FEBI certified coach.
