In these transformative times, the call for a new breed of organisations has never been louder. These organisations must be innovative, daring, and driven by strong values that prioritise fairness and a people-centric approach. To lead these groundbreaking initiatives, we need a new generation of leaders who are willing to tackle the challenge head-on.
Stepping into a leadership role is a significant decision, one that requires courage and self-awareness. As a leader, you must be prepared to face difficulties, question your own identity, and acknowledge that perfection is an illusion. Vulnerability becomes a strength as you embrace the challenges that come with this path.
Tough situations are the grit that shapes the pearl of leadership. While reactions from your immediate surroundings may not always feel fair, nice, or compassionate, these are the very experiences that hone your skills and character. As the saying goes, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” But not us – we’re here to stay, equipped with custom-crafted tools designed to engage, challenge, and empower learners to develop and thrive in their unique contexts.
It’s vital to recognise that external challenges often reveal opportunities for internal growth. For emerging leaders, connecting these external difficulties with personal development is essential.
By working on your own growth, you enhance your ability to handle increasingly complex challenges in the external world, becoming a more effective leader in the process. Additionally, you set a powerful example, demonstrating that leaders are always evolving, continuously learning, and never perfect. This encourages those around you to let go of the need for perfection and embrace the mindset of a ‘learning leader’ themselves.
In doing so, we can create organisations that foster creativity, enjoyment, courage, and the capacity to learn, enabling them to make a meaningful difference in times of change and have a lasting positive impact on the world.
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The model for developing new leadership consists of a core, two triangles and an organizational outer circle. At the heart of it all lies compassion – the courage to embark on a path of personal growth and transformation. This is the choice that sets the stage for the rest of the journey.
The inner triangle is where the real magic happens. This is your personal development as a leader, answering the question: “What’s going on inside you, and who are you?” Here, you’ll find the three interwoven elements of Presence, Dedication, and Reflection – the paths a true leader must follow.
The outer triangle provides the input for that inner process, representing what’s happening outside yourself. This is where you answer the question: “What is visible to others about you as a leader?” The three elements in this triangle are Kind connection, Broad ambition, and Fair judgment. The outer circle is the connective tissue that links this new leadership model to the organisations of the future. It’s the bridge between the inner and outer worlds, ensuring that your personal growth and development have a real-world impact.
Compassion starts with accepting your imperfections and allowing yourself to learn and grow as a leader. By embracing your own flaws, you create space for others to do the same, avoiding the pressure of perfection. Your compassion influences your behaviour, helping you stay present, reflect calmly, and thoughtfully navigate the challenges of personal development.
Presence is about staying fully engaged in the present moment, free from distractions of past worries or future fears. By maintaining focus and calm, you become more powerful and influential, allowing for genuine connections with your surroundings. This connection is evident in your commitment to delivering quality, engaging with your organisation, and showing compassion. Through this presence, you reassure those around you that you are truly there for them.
Dedication as a leader involves consciously choosing your role every day, knowing challenges will come but committing to growth. It means aligning with a greater purpose, making tough decisions, and sometimes not meeting expectations. Combined with broad ambition, you set high goals, strive for impactful results, and push relentlessly to achieve them, even when it requires difficult actions.
Reflecting on your role in challenging situations involves assessing how you might adjust your approach, including your tone and decision-making. Fair judgment means letting your conscience guide you, being honest and proud of your work, and seeking solutions that are fair to all parties. This includes aligning with your values, benefiting customers and suppliers in the long term, and maintaining sustainable relationships.
As a leader, you’re expected to exhibit a high degree of inner development. This means being ambitious without being pushy, involved without being obsequious, and honourable without being self-satisfied. Your employees have high expectations, and it’s important to acknowledge that no one can consistently meet every requirement and constantly be a leader – and that’s not necessary. What matters is your ongoing development.
The external aspect of leadership concerns the “how” – the execution and implementation of your vision. But focusing excessively on the “how” does not equate to effective leadership. An overemphasis on the specifics of “how” can lead to dogma, a rigid way of doing things. Instead, the key is to ask, “Where or what is not working?” and address those areas for improvement.
Visible outcomes reflect your leadership. Success is commendable, but if you encounter failure, use it as an opportunity for feedback. Being defensive or placing blame does not enhance your leadership credentials. The external aspect highlights the “how” and identifies areas for improvement, while the internal aspect prompts you to consider the “why” – why you are receiving certain feedback and how you will address it.
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