Breaking Free
The Bold Odyssey of Just Being Human
MaryBeth Hyland, who I first connected with on LinkedIn, is someone I see as a beacon of hope and wisdom in today's frenetic world.
In January 2022, "Great Books, Great Minds" zoomed in on this dynamo in a piece aptly titled “Are You Giving Yourself Permission to Be Human.” It's more than an article; it's a vibrant journey through her transformative book, "Permission To Be Human," a heartfelt ode to those who champion empathy and wellness in the workplace.
Hyland's belief? Unite people with shared values, and watch them move mountains together.
Meet MaryBeth Hyland, the trailblazing Founder and Chief Visionary of SparkVision. She's not just a leader; she's a revolution in motion. With a rich tapestry of experience spanning over 12 years, fused with academic prowess in Social Work and Nonprofit Management, MaryBeth is a maestro in weaving visions, values, and cultures that propel leaders and their tribes toward groundbreaking achievements.
Hyland's magic lies in her profound understanding that our journey to authenticity – whether in our professional, personal, or inner lives – is universal and deeply rooted. As a masterful certified mediator, mindfulness instructor, and values guru, she captivates and uplifts audiences globally with her genuine approach to facilitation, coaching, and empowerment.
Her life's quest? To forge sanctuaries where voices resonate, stories unfold, and purpose blazes. I seized the chance to converse with her once more, delving into fresh and invigorating perspectives on this critical theme of humanness that resonates with us all. Join us in this exhilarating exploration of what it truly means to embrace our humanity.
In what ways are you finding that your book “Permission To Be Human” offers perspective in light of the post-pandemic workplace shifts currently taking place in the business world?
MBH: Permission to be human is just that - giving more people the courage and encouragement to embrace their human experience. We sure do like to pretend that there’s an on and off switch that creates this boundary between our work vs. life experiences. But it’s simply not true.
What’s going on in the world, in your community, in your home, and inside your mind and body is consistently playing a role in how you show up at work. Whether you realize it or not.
The pandemic helped more people to wake up to this and choose to embrace vulnerability, empathy and expand their emotional intelligence. And many are still pretending that the pandemic was no big deal and business as usual is to pursue.
With the rise of AI, what I know for sure, is that the businesses who are embracing their humanity and their values as their greatest differentiator are the ones that won’t be replaced by robots.
My book has been a step-by-step guide for conscious leaders who are ready to look within to create thriving values-driven cultures. And it’s been heartening to see how it’s supported people all over the world in doing just that.
What sorts of personal pivots and shifts are you personally making in terms of emerging developments in the new economy?
MBH: The biggest personal pivot that I’m making is transitioning from an on-demand Baltimore City row home dwelling resident to a tiny homesteading cowgirl off the grid in the mountains out West. It’s been enlivening as it’s the greatest transition and expression of living out my values!
Can you elaborate more on what that’s been like?
MBH: With the increasing pressures of always-on technology and inflation - it never felt like a better time to start investing in what mattered most to us and letting go of what didn’t.
For a long time, this was my retirement dream. But now that it’s become a reality 30 years in advance it made me realize how grateful I am to get to live out this reality so much earlier in life. So many people have these types of visions and dreams and they stop themselves because it’s not practical or they think they can’t afford it, or they don’t know how to do it so they just stop themselves short.
Describe some discoveries have you unearthed about yourself over the past 12-18 months in terms of your own permission to be human?
MBH: My greatest permission to be human over the last year has been accepting that I don’t have all the answers and solutions for all of life’s pressures, traumas and unknowns. And that’s okay. I can meet myself where I am, not where I want to be. I can honor what makes me perfectly imperfect. I can ignite compassion and suspend judgment. I can set healthy boundaries to protect my energy. And I can prioritize my wellbeing by embodying my values. That’s permission to be human and everyone has a right to it.
In a recent LinkedIn post, you shared about the importance of having a partner who you are aligned with value wise in terms of a happy life? Can you elaborate on this point a bit?
MBH: Values are your inner compass for what feels good in life. When your values are activated you are energized, happy, and purposeful. When they’re violated you are depleted, stressed and disconnected from yourself.
So when your partner shares your core values - you get to live them out together and receive that positive energy by choosing them in life.
How does all of this play into the relationship you have with your husband James?
MBH: In my own partnership, we share the value of Unity with Nature. Which to us means gaining wisdom and connection from the earth. So we find that whenever we choose to go on a hike, go horseback riding, or simply sit out in the sunshine we feel like the best versions of ourselves. And together, we amplify that experience and become loving accountability partners.
Now here’s the thing: it’s just as important to have unique values that you respect and support within each other too.
My husband is all about adventure and I prefer to stay on the safer side. So we have our own experiences to fill up our inner batteries and then come back together bringing that positive charge.
To really live out your values as a couple, you must ultimately live them out within yourself first.
In terms of your book interests and reading habits, please describe the sort of books, genres, and themes that are resonating with you these days?
MBH: I love this question because books have played such an important role in mirroring my inner journey and what type of medicine I am in need of. Whether that be fiction, non-fiction, memoir, personal development or spirituality. I choose them based on whether I was to escape to somewhere else or go deeper within myself. Books are such powerful healing tools that way.
Are there any specific books that have played a role in your growth and development of late?
MBH: Recently, I’ve been reading women’s memoirs. It started this summer when I read “Finding Me” by Viola Davis. She is the epitome of a heroine’s journey and I felt with her journey in a very deep way. It was during a time that I needed to be reminded that no matter how traumatic your upbringing was, you can transmute that into your greatest power.
After that I read “Educated” by Tara Westover because I wanted to connect with someone who grew up in the mountains of Idaho. She overcame an extreme experience of being silenced for her truth and that was something I was and still am moving through too. It helped me to see that I wasn’t alone in that journey and it’s brave to speak your truth in the face of your family’s disappointment or anger in you.
Now I’m half-way through “Wild” by Cheryl Stayed. I chose it because I started rucking recently (hiking with a weighted backpack) and I remembered loving the movie based on her book. A single woman hiking the Pacific Coast Trail with a pack more than half her weight as a quest to heal her suffering after losing her mom. While I don’t aspire to do anything like that, it’s inspiring to learn about her journey in figuring it out without any prior experience and evolving within herself along the way.
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