Key Technologies for Evolving Sustainable Leadership
| posted by Zach SmithIn my previous post on The evolution of sustainable leadership I wrote:
"The evolution of sustainable leadership is commitment to a process of self development that begins with “me” but necessarily expands to include and transcend “me.” The deeper we dive, the broader we roam, the richer our understanding of our place and purpose."
So how does this process work? The short answer is it must necessarily work in different ways for different people. Though the aim may be the same, we start from different places, different life spaces and conditions. Yet there some constants. One of those is capacity.
To deepen our capacity means to target our capability to perceive and act from what we are learning. At Interkannections we view this as the journey of capacity evolution where G, I and T-shaped leaders become H, A and U-shaped leaders. Here, again, there are many paths up the mountain. However, it would be foolish to ignore some well-worn trails:
In “integral” speak this means being able to leverage what is called a 4Q perspective: deepening and balancing insight gained from perspectives on
Peter Senge has popularized systems thinking as a way to access the meaning to be made from the inter-relationships listed above. The key to systems thinking is to focus on the relationships between key agents, stakeholders and constituents. The beauty of systems thinking is that it helps us perceive the non-linear, hopelessly complex and deeply intertwined realities affecting us on daily basis. Understanding those realities is the necessary first step to wisely affecting and influencing them.
Otto Scharmer uses “Theory U” and presencing to take individuals and groups on learning journeys that allow them to access and leverage intuitive inter-connection and insight. Theory U and presencing are simple, powerful forms of meditation. They help practitioners access the power of intuition and tap the well of perception and insight we all have available to us when we let go of our illusions and assumptions about our selves and the world around us. Less important than the technique is the process of becoming still, observant and creating the space for reflection. Any meditative practice can help you do this.
At Interkannections we employ all of the above-when necessary-to help our clients make the shift from their current patterns of thinking and behavior to a more sustainable, life giving, value generating way of living and engaging with the world. The key in evolving your approach to leadership and your life, in general, to a more sustainable one, in the end, is, of course: YOU. You have to want to take on the challenge, have the will, discipline and commitment to evolve. You must have the courage, wisdom and humility to learn and seek out experiences and teachers to help you evolve.
And, most importantly, YOU can start, NOW.Expanded from The Capacity Evolution Blog









Recent Comments | 2 Total
August 17, 2008 at 10:30am
John AgnoAugust 17, 2008 at 6:06pm
Zach Smith