Leadership and Business

Leadership writings over the last several years reflect an increasing awakening to the importance of heart, soul, and spirit to being a real leader. Books now abound on these vital factors, which were once thought to be too "soft" to be of major importance. Many writers have eloquently addressed the principles underlying leadership:

In The Corporate Mystic, by Gay Hendricks and Kate Ludeman, they outline the 12 characteristics of a 21st century leader:

In Leadership With Soul, by Bolman and Deal, they capture the essence not only of what leadership is about, but also the journey to be a leader.

"Leading is giving. Leadership is an ethic, a gift of oneself… Your quest as a leader is a journey to find the treasure of your true self, and then to return home to give your gift to help transform the kingdom-and in the process your own life. The quest itself is replete with dangers and pitfalls, but it offers great rewards: the capacity to be successful in the world, knowledge of the mysteries of the human soul, the opportunity to find your unique gifts in the world and to live in loving community with other people."

 

Leadership and Our Lives

"We are all immersed in a dynamic new phase of human evolution.  Society is faced with unprecedented challenges of transformation on all levels:  in organizations, in politics, in technology and science as well as in our relationships and family lives.  There is a significant shift taking place in our model of 'reality.' We are moving from the old ways of thinking to a new 'paradigm' - a changing world view.

We are challenged to journey into undiscovered territory for which there are no maps.  This is now the heart of leadership, and the way is made by going there.  The leaders of today who are conscious of this new paradigm are the pioneers for the 21st century.

The new leadership has to do with a new sense of balance:   balance between inner and outer leadership, between personal growth and organization development, between holding the vision and enabling others to achieve it, between serving and leading, between the head and the heart, between economy and ecology.   The wise leader becomes the bridge between old traditions and new ways.

Our world needs leaders with vision and integrity, who are balanced in their judgement and actions as well as balanced  within themselves."
- From the program description The Heart Of Leadership:  A quest for a new paradigm in Europe, by Francis Standish and Ton Van der Kroon

Leadership is an issue beyond organizations. Leadership is also critical in our personal lives -- in relationship with ourselves and others. As leaders' we must  ground ourselves in the universal principles of nature and human interaction. Our ability to make a difference is based on our manifestation of these principles. This applies at home and everywhere we go. Leadership skills alone do not make us great leaders. Individual growth and evolution is key.

Corporate potential to create positive individual, group and societal change has barely been tapped. Corporations have an immense impact on society because of the resources they control and the people they affect, either directly or by extension. Companies, communities and countries today are greatly in need of transformative leadership