Last week, after an online private session, I logged straight into a project meeting for my other job online. My attention was still tuned like a radio between stations—quiet, receptive, catching the subtler signals. Ten people, twelve opinions, nineteen sticky notes, and a deadline that did not care about our feelings. Half the room was exploring possibilities; the other half wanted a decision now-now-now.
I realized I was watching a familiar duet try to play in a different genre. In spiritual practice, we call the two roles Medium and Control. At work, they travel under everyday names: Sensing and Steering. Same music, different album cover.
When you name these roles—and run them in the right order—meetings shrink, decisions stick, and projects actually move. This post is a simple translation layer so the abilities you already cultivate can walk with you into your career—without losing their essence.
What These Roles Mean (in plain language)
Medium → Sensing
This is receptive awareness. You take in the room with your whole system, hear what’s beneath the words, and turn fuzzy input into patterns people can understand.
In everyday terms it sounds like:
“I’m hearing three themes across the feedback…”
“There’s a quiet worry about post‑launch support.”
“We’re debating scope, but the tension feels like ownership.”
Control → Steering
This is purposeful guidance. You set the frame, clarify boundaries, and help a group move from talk to task—without steamrolling what matters.
In everyday terms it sounds like:
“What decision do we need by the end of this meeting?”
“Let’s timebox ideas for ten minutes, then choose.”
“Option A ships sooner; Option B dazzles but adds risk. Which are we taking?”
Sensing first, Steering second: the work finds rhythm. Reverse it and you get idea soup (all Sensing, no action) or confident wrongness (all Steering, wrong problem).
A Story (you’ve lived a version of this)
We were producing a live event experience on a tight timeline. A late change knocked our plan sideways.
The Medium/Sensing part of me walked the space and listened: Where does the room naturally pause? What moment wants a reveal? What will people actually do here?
The Control/Steering part of me reshaped the plan: Which parts can move, which stay, who needs updates, and by when?
We sensed for twenty minutes, then steered for ten. The project plan improved, the team knew exactly what to do, and we hit our mark. No mystique—just the right energy at the right time.
Professional Development (powered by your existing gifts)
You don’t need a new persona to grow at work. You need language and timing for what you already do well.
If you lean Medium/Sensing, strengthen Steering.
Start by naming the decision (“By 4:00 we’ll pick A or B.”). Protect timeboxes without apologizing. Close clean: one owner, one date, one-sentence recap. Think of it as giving your intuition a landing strip.
If you lean Control/Steering, deepen Sensing.
Begin with two honest questions: “What am I not seeing yet?” “Whose voice is missing?” Reflect patterns before you push forward. Let ten seconds of silence do a little work. Think of it as giving your clarity fresh air.
As these muscles balance, your intuition gets sharper and your leadership gets clearer. That’s not an either/or—it’s the upgrade.
Pocket Practices That Travel Well
Two‑minute pre‑meeting tune‑in
Feet on floor. One breath down, one up. Set an inner intention: Let truth be speakable and decisions be kind. Choose your starting mode: Sensing or Steering.
Fifteen‑second checkpoint
Say: “Quick check—are we sensing when we should be steering, or the reverse?” Watch the collective exhale. (Yes, even on Zoom.)
These fit in any workplace and pass every "is that too woo" test.
Phrases that carry the energy, not the jargon
“I want to surface what’s emerging before we rush to solve.” (Sensing.)
“For the next ten minutes we explore; then we choose.” (Steering.)
“I’m noticing charge on this topic—do we need to slow down or name an unseen concern?” (Sensing.)
“Given what’s true, our choice is X or Y. Which serves the purpose?” (Steering.)
Translate as needed. Keep the essence.
What Breaks (and how to fix it)
All Sensing, no Steering: Beautiful insights; nothing ships.
Fix: Name the decision and timebox the landing.All Steering, no Sensing: Efficient plans; wrong problem.
Fix: Gather two real signals before you call it.One person trying to do both at once: Attention whiplash.
Fix: Switch hats openly, or pair with someone complementary.
Quick line you can actually use:
“We’ve got gourmet idea soup—delicious, not dinner. Let’s pick a spoonful to serve.”
A One‑Meeting Practice Plan (try this week)
Before: Assign roles. Who leads Sensing for the first half? Who leads Steering for the second?
During:
0–15 min: Sensing leads—gather signals, name patterns, invite quieter voices.
15–30 min: Steering leads—frame the decision, pick a method (consent, vote, accountable lead), choose, assign.
After: Send the one‑paragraph close. Done.
Do it once and the room will feel different. Do it a few times and you will feel different—steadier, clearer, and far more effective.
The Deep Why
Spiritual practice teaches two simple truths: attention is an act of care, and boundaries are an act of care. Work needs both. When you bring Medium and Control into daily leadership as Sensing and Steering, you’re not watering down your gifts; you’re letting them do more good.
Listen like a Medium. Guide like a Control.
Sense generously. Steer decisively.
Let your vocation—seen and unseen—show up in what you deliver.
TL;DR: Name the energy. Run it in order. Assign out loud. Be conscious. That’s the move.
William FitzRoy
As a liminal healer and intuitive coach, I’ve been studying and sharing tools for intuitive awareness, consciousness based meditative practices, and energy work for over 20 years in different modalities. I’ve owned multiple healing-based businesses and have supported over a thousand seekers on their journey. It would be an honor to collaborate with you no matter what your focus is.
