What leadership style inspires others?
Charles wants to maximize his positive impact on society. He works for an international company in the textile industry. As soon as he comes up with a new idea or senses a potential deviation from the company’s mission, he sounds the alarm. He yells or rants. He gets angry. He wears himself out. Even if his dedication is recognized, his behavior isolates him from the rest of the company. A vicious cycle begins. Opportunities are missed, and common frustrations persist. So what should be done? Burn out while trying to transform the company from within? Decide that change is impossible and leave the company?
A third way is possible. Charles takes a step back and makes his choice. He decides to stay. He is clear-headed. He understands that, given his mission, his skills, his desires, and the needs of his ecosystem, his balance and value lie in his role as an internal change agent. However, he has chosen the path of leadership transformation, which frees one from power struggles and embraces the rough edges of life’s reality. To use a metaphor, instead of resisting the waves and storms of the ocean, putting up danger signs, and lobbying to build concrete walls along the coastline, he decides to ride the wave alongside several fellow company surfers. He trusts his courage, cultivates his empathy, taps into his intuition, draws on his sense of humility, and leverages his expertise in eco-design. He looks to the network of potential sponsors and motivated peers, and considers the compelling arguments that would work.
The result? He teams up with a more visionary colleague while bringing his operational focus to the table. Together, they divide up the roles and identify the right opportunities to make an impact. Above all, they dedicate themselves to serving the collective network of aspiring change-makers within the company. The idea is no longer to label what is good and what is not, but to share the vision and pinpoint the root causes of obstacles. The path toward this goal is actually co-created and defined by those who walk it as change agents. Everyone has space, a playground, and a sense of purpose.
* Case study based on actual coaching sessions.
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The term "leadership" often pushes us to our limits.
Some people love it, others analyze it, while still others are skeptical of it. My goal is not to say whether being a leader is good or bad, nor to judge different leadership styles, and certainly not to offer you instructions on how to embody “good” leadership.
What interests me is the kind of attitude a changemaker can demonstrate and the resulting engagement of the ecosystem. Because that's what leadership is all about: the influence an individual has on a group.
To spread a positive and constructive influence, Charles has—in his own way—followed the principles shared by Isaac Getz in his inspiring Ted Talk. He created the conditions for equity, personal development, and leadership to collectively build a better future. Above all, he reconnected with himself, with his vision for the world, and with the diversity that surrounds him.
As you can see, the challenge is not to be a controlling leader who pushes his teams to move in the “right” direction. Rather, the challenge is to be the leader of one’s own life and to contribute to one’s ecosystem in order to build the world one wishes to support.
TOOL
You might be thinking, “OK, thanks, Nina. But how do we do it?”
Here are a few steps to get you started:
What are the sources of self-sabotage that prevent you from embodying authentic and engaging leadership with serenity?
Tips: Check out this free test
In your project or mission:
What is the intended positive impact for the beneficiaries?
Why is this important?
To achieve this, how much space and flexibility do you allow your ecosystem?
“Let’sdare to embody our leadership style to co-create the world we want to see emerge ”
Feel free to share your questions, answers, and feedback in the comments or via private messages. And if you like this article, the best way to show your appreciation is to share it!
Do you want to become the leader you envision for the world you hope to see? Is it time to discover your leadership style? Do you want to integrate sustainability into your core business? Do you want to accelerate your ecosystem’s commitment to the change you hope for? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions and would like support on your journey, contact me! Here is a link to an exploratory call and the form to further elaborate on your goals and challenges: English
