My name is Clara Chorley, and I’m the founder of Clarity Unlimited – a leadership development organization that provides socially conscious leaders with the personal and organizational tools they need for the success they want. It’s been a long journey to here…
Twenty years ago I remember making the conscious decision to live and thrive instead of continuing with the very stuck, painful life I was living. Self-doubt ran me, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and had no awareness of being good at anything. Today, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Everything came to a head when I flew to Africa. Have you ever wanted something for a long time and finally the day comes to experience it? Well, that was Africa for me. It was a trip I’d been aching to take since Ethiopian famine images flashed across our family’s television screen during the 1985 Live Aid concert in London, England; which was the first time I remember feeling deeply touched by something outside of my own pain.
That was when I chose to explore my inner world – and began to learn that the inner world is where it begins and ends for all of us who are (or who want to be) leaders. That inner journey has taken me around the world to 37 different countries, where I have been honored to be part of many diverse organizations and learning environments; experiencing cultures and spiritual ventures; and being inspired by clients, mentors and friends. That inner and outer journey led to Get R.E.A.L.™ – a body of work inspired by what I learned, experienced and integrated; in short – the bridge that links our shared world and combines values rather than holding them as separate.
I have been drawn back, time and again, to places where suffering and poverty are rife — teaching musical instruments, and holding young children and babies in a Romanian orphanage… feeding and listening to the sick and dying at one of Mother Teresa’s homes in Calcutta, India… exploring the killing fields of Cambodia… an on-call crisis worker for sexual abuse survivors… facilitating domestic violence workshops for 5-year olds, part of an eating disorder group in Honolulu, Hawaii… and interviewing teenage genocide survivors and running Operations for a population of 50,000 in rural Rwanda. I kept asking Why?
One simple answer is that these experiences around the world brought my own struggles and problems into immediate perspective. That is definitely true. I also became aware that in some ways my fascination was an extension of my personal pain and commitment to heal. With each experience I began to get comfortable being in the present moment; trusting in my own responses; allowing myself to voice creative ideas; and re-learning to hear, trust and follow the voice of my intuition. I began to see that this way of living was deeply fulfilling and helped me, in some not-fully-understood way, to begin to tap into my potential and gifts.
Like many others I know, for many years I judged myself and my travels as “running away from the real world.” But as it turns out, I was traveling extensively for a reason. The collective experience of working with multiple cultures and having diverse experiences all around the world has given me a unique perspective that directly impacts the work I do today. Part of that work is my keynote: Get R.E.A.L.™, which addresses shared global values, awareness and actions most of us can embrace for a more fulfilled life. This body of work invites you to Remember who We are, Elevate awareness of who you’re being, Activate your intuitive intelligence, and Leverage Success through community, clarifying conversations and a plan.
Today I’m clearly living my Purpose!, surrounded by an amazing global community of friends and colleagues, and still deeply drawn to contributing to the harder hit areas of the world – but now in a different way. I always wanted to give back, and now I do so in a bigger way, which is through Clarity Unlimited. I choose to use my gifts as a business consultant and coach to help other leaders with a social conscience be their best. Mastering the inner journey means we can get some degree of mastery of the outer journey. For change agents, I believe this is imperative work.
Having transcended the trauma of my past and transformed my own life… and understanding the factors that made it happen… I launched Clarity Unlimited to give back to all the women and men who are struggling to remember who they are; and the women, men and children I’ve had the honor and privilege of witnessing over the last decade. Our mission at Clarity Unlimited is to help you clarify your vision of self and organization. Following that let’s develop and implement the strategies that will take that Vision and make it Real.
A fulfilled life is one where the individual knows with certainty (s)he is copiously giving of their gifts, and has the foundational support to do just that.
