THE HARSH LIGHT OF REMOTE LEADERSHIP
Here we are in perhaps the greatest challenge this generation will face in our lifetimes – notwithstanding those currently in places of war, displacement, famine or other privations, and for whom, COVD-19 is yet just another daily threat to survival.
THE NEXT 24 HOURS OF LEADERSHIP
Being totally used to working from home and having flexibility isn’t the new normal – we’ve moved to a world (albeit temporarily) where it’s being enforced, so the freedom to choose a day here or there is already eroded – even your habit of working from the local café may be eroded.
ONLINE EXPERIENCES TO HELP YOU DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES
In the spirit of the ELEVEN attributes of connection, creativity and awareness, we hope this list will help you take on the roles of teacher, guide, values transmitter and all-round human being for your children (of all ages) and loved ones.
RESILIENCE: NATURE OR NURTURE?
Few doubt the importance of resilience for psychological health and success in our personal and professional selves. Throughout history, we’ve documented, celebrated and narrated how we’ve overcome and ‘bounced back’ from adversity. We admire the character-building that ensues from such experience.
THE ‘MOTHER OF MODERN MANAGEMENT’
If you’ve never heard of Mary Parker Follett, you’re forgiven. I, too, only heard of her for the first time recently. That her name is so foreign to most of us is perhaps understandable. After all, she never led a country, she never built a philanthropic institution, she never grew a billion-dollar business, and she never made it to the top of an international corporation.
“… BUT I DON’T HAVE A CREATIVE BONE IN MY BODY.”
This isn’t an uncommon reaction when a situation requiring creativity is posed. It may seem creativity comes more ‘naturally’ to some, but it isn’t the sole remit of a few. We all have the capacity to ‘create creativity’ when we understand a little more of how it works.
PURPOSE AND LEADERSHIP
The human species currently enjoys the best living conditions, material wealth and longevity than at any other time in our history, yet mental health issues are exploding. According to the Australian government, mental health data from 2016-17 is already costing Australia $9 billion, while eight million days of work annually are lost to mental health issues. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates global mental health issues cost US$1 trillion in lost productivity annually.
So, what’s the connection between purpose and mental health?
RIGHTING WRONGS
Past hurts and old injustices have a way of keeping us stuck in our tracks, unable to move forward or experience joy. Here are five action steps you can take, to begin righting the wrongs of your past.
AUTHENTICITY VS LEADERSHIP BRAND
It seems in the field of leadership, ‘authenticity’ is the new buzzword. Just Google ‘leadership and authenticity’ to see how many results (15 million) are returned.
Clearly, there’s been a recent stage of leadership development that started out as a desire to, in the Wikipedia definition, legitimise a leader “through honest relationships with followers [who] value their input and [which] are built on an ethical foundation.”
PURPOSE – A LEADER’S ROLE
Conventional wisdom suggests our lives would be successful if only each of us can find our passion, our beacon on the hill, our one true purpose.
Underpinning that conventional wisdom is validated research which, in paper after paper of published findings, confirms the role of finding a purpose (as long it aligns with our inner moral code) is essential for psychological and spiritual health.
BRAVE LEADERS DISPLAY THESE FOUR ATTRIBUTES
What do you envisage when you think of the word bravery? Mel Gibson’s rousing call of “Freedom” in his portrayal of William Wallace? A firefighter pulling a child out of a burning building? Emmeline Parkhurst campaigning to ensure women could vote?
There are many faces of bravery and it’s is easy to think it only applies to situations that will change the world, or where life depends on it … but the opportunity for bravery surrounds us in our everyday.
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP – IS THERE SUCH A THING?
Creativity in the leadership space has little to do with artistry or being the ‘creative type’ and everything to do with using our wonderful executive thinking abilities. Being a creative leader requires the recruitment of vulnerability and bravery as allies to challenge the status quo. Just imagine what business and society might look like with more creative leadership?
IS LEADERSHIP A SOLITARY ROLE?
I have the treasured privilege to work with leaders who afford me the opportunity to hear their stories. Stories they share with very few other, if any, people in their lives.
As a result, my colleagues and I have been struck by how many leaders recount how isolated they feel. Interestingly, very few ever use the word ‘lonely’. To admit to loneliness somehow seems an admission of weakness. Yet when we reflect the word ‘lonely’ as an observation back to them, we notice the shoulders fall and an exhale of breath as if it’s a revelation.
