Embracing Change: A New Leadership Model for Today’s Challenges
0
3
0
Over the last 18 months, I’ve embarked on a profound journey. I've been researching, coaching, and studying leadership up close. This exploration was sparked by a stark realization: leading with integrity in today's complex world is incredibly challenging.
The pressure for relentless financial growth, measured by simple dollars and cents, often pushes ethical considerations into the background. This phenomenon, known as "ethical fading," as Simon Sinek discusses, is all too real. I witnessed it firsthand. I observed how outdated corporate playbooks for transformation and restructuring, which focus on spans of control and headcount, disempower leaders and take a heavy toll on their mental health. My colleagues and I were not alone in this struggle.
This experience set me on a path to define a new kind of leadership—one that is responsible, resilient, and capable of driving authentic progress without succumbing to burnout or ethical compromise.
From a Single Ideal to a Powerful Trio
Initially, my research aimed to define a single, ideal "Change-Maker Leader" who could do it all. However, through observation and coaching, a more powerful and realistic truth emerged. While some rare "polymath" leaders embody all the necessary qualities, leadership isn't about being a solitary hero. It’s about understanding the different roles required to make change happen.
I’ve come to see that true, sustainable leadership is best viewed through three distinct lenses, three core roles:
The Starter: The dreamer and innovator. This part of us sparks new ideas, challenges the status quo, and ignites the initial energy for change. Starters are the visionaries who ask, "What if?"
The Doer: The engine of execution. This pragmatic and persistent part of us gets things done. Doers take the vision and translate it into tangible actions and results, navigating obstacles with grit and resilience.
The Connector: The weaver of community. This empathetic part of us builds relationships, fosters collaboration, and creates the fabric of trust that allows teams to thrive. Connectors build the movement around the mission.
These three roles—Starter, Connector, and Doer—exist within all of us, but we each have our unique blend of strengths.
Know Yourself, Build Your Team
The insight that we are a blend of these three roles is liberating. It means we don't have to excel at everything. Instead, the key is to first understand our own leadership DNA. Are you someone who thrives on starting new things? Are you brilliant at connecting people and ideas? Or are you the one who can be counted on to see things through to the end?
Once we have that self-awareness, we can focus on building our resilience in all three areas. Critically, we can then find partners and build teams that complement our strengths, creating a collective that is far more powerful and resilient than any single leader could be alone.
This approach moves us away from the individualistic, often narcissistic, model of leadership and toward a collaborative, community-focused one.
Introducing the Tools for a New Generation of Leaders
This journey of research and discovery wasn't merely an academic exercise. It was about creating a practical path forward. That’s why I’m thrilled to launch a new set of services designed to help you and your teams embrace this new model of leadership.
I hope these offerings will help you understand yourself more deeply and equip you to drive authentic progress in every aspect of your work. Because good business is good business, and we need responsible leadership now more than ever.
My hope is that as you engage with these tools and ideas, we can build a movement. A movement to rebalance our organisations, to reconnect with community, and to work together for a future defined by positive impact and authentic progress.
The Importance of Community in Leadership
Leadership is not a solo journey. It thrives in a community. When we come together, we amplify our strengths and mitigate our weaknesses. This is where the magic happens. Have you ever noticed how a team can achieve what seems impossible when everyone plays their part?
Building a community around our leadership efforts allows us to share insights, support one another, and celebrate successes. It creates an environment where innovation can flourish.
Cultivating Trust and Collaboration
Trust is the foundation of any successful team. As leaders, we must cultivate an atmosphere where team members feel safe to express their ideas and concerns. This involves active listening and showing empathy. When we connect on a human level, we foster collaboration and creativity.
Embracing Change Together
Change is inevitable. It can be daunting, but when we face it together, we can navigate the uncertainties with confidence. By encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, we can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As we move forward, I invite you to reflect on your leadership journey. Embrace your unique blend of strengths. Build a team that complements your abilities. Together, we can create a culture of intrapreneurship that champions sustainability and community engagement.
Let’s take the first step towards a brighter future. Are you ready to join me in this movement? Together, we can drive meaningful, positive change within our organisations and beyond.
Check out this video which describes the output from the self-assessment.
