A little more concrete, please
Leadership is paying attention to:
- Purpose and the motivating goals linked to it (the why)
- The progress toward these goals (the results)
- The human potential (the people)
- Connection between people (the group)
Once borrowed from James Scouller (from his book ‘The three levels of leadership’).
What I found so powerful about it – in all its simplicity – was the balanced attention it gives to people and results. To outward-facing energy (yang) and inward-facing energy (yin). And seeing the strength of the interplay between both poles.
Polarity
A leader, then, is someone who pays the right attention to these four areas and to the polarities within them. A leader embraces this polarity. Sometimes curses it too, yes. Because, damn it, that tension can be quite challenging. But a leader has a deep awareness that it is not one or the other. But rather a rich and complex interplay.
Embracing this does not mean you have to pay attention to everything at once. Your brain simply cannot cope with that. You are a leader, not a superhuman.
Holding the tension
And what, as a leader, do you then need to do? Learn to hold the tension that will inherently arise between these softer-feeling and harder-feeling sides. Observe yourself in this: your preferences, drives, strengths, pitfalls. Learn to connect with that inner place from which you act, where you connect with your own highest potential. Use your own strengths and assemble a team that together pays attention to the other things that you are naturally less good at or that give you less energy. Then you get a fifth area of focus:
5. Your own well-being and a balanced life
(self-)aware leaders
Every era activates a certain kind of being human and therefore also a certain kind of leadership. This era requires highly (self-)aware leaders. Leaders who not only embody that deep awareness of what we as humans and as a planet need, and who dare to set the focus in this:“This is what we have to do.” But who can also be receptive, courageous and connecting in daily practice. And in doing so help create a safe foundation where people enjoy being, and are willing to go the ‘extra mile’ to bring results into the world. Because they are seen in their talents, are allowed to express their feelings and needs, and truly feel heard in this.
This era requires highly (self-)aware leaders. Leaders who also take care of themselves. Your own sense of purpose, your own health, your personal relationships. That deserves attention too. Because anyone driven by something that does not give priority to their own interests will not be able to write a sustainable story.
All of this requires you as a leader to discover the core patterns from which you operate. How this helps and hinders you. And how you can connect with your own highest potential. A kind of inner journey, then.
Together
The good news is that you do not have to make this inner journey alone. Good resources exist for that: inspiring books, training, coaching, retreats,… .
The good news is also that this exploration of your own highest potential is often highly inspiring and fulfilling. You come home to yourself, as it were, (even more). Then you feel the power of the very greatest resource. The one within yourself. Coming home to yourself, also and especially when it is difficult. Wonderful, isn’t it?
Would you like an exploratory conversation? Send a message to Aurélie
