Believe it. Do it. Live it!
Leading from profound purpose
The beauty, importance and especially the impact of leadership becomes most evident when it is absent. Like now, in turbulent times, with ever increasing crisis and feelings of uncertainty, fear and powerlessness. How do we lead society and our organizations to better times? How do we neutralize the ecological, social and spiritual crisis, which are obviously interconnected and mutually reinforcing? What are we to expect and do, in response to all the risks, challenges and developments?
Contrary to popular belief, the role of leadership in an organization is not primarily to make difficult decisions. In principle, almost anyone can do that. It goes a step further. The true role of leadership lies in what is implicit in taking difficult decisions; namely, (re)defining the organization, in what it wants to mean and be in society and to all stakeholders. It is therefore mainly about defining and shaping the profound purpose and non-negotiable core values, plus developing competencies to think, act and behave in line with this.
MYTHS UNRAVELED
When it comes to leading from purpose into the emerging and unleashing future, there are several myths and limiting beliefs that we must let go of.
For example, that leaders are persons at the top of an organization. This is really a huge misconception. Responding effectively to systemic risks and crises requires involving many, many people in an organization – sometimes everyone – in the process of transformation. Leadership also does not lie with an individual, but is a distributed or collective capacity in an organization to respond effectively to change and transformation. Leadership, then, involves the collective ability to connect with, visualize, and shape the intent and the emerging future.
Leadership, then, is much more than creating and articulating a vision. Inspiring leaders with character therefore listen much more than they talk. Great leadership always begins with empathetic listening and critical consideration of the facts. With a wide open mind, heart and will. So that it becomes possible to serve the interests of all stakeholders from the profound purpose. By creating maximum value: financially, socially and environmentally.
CRISES AS A LESSON
Leadership in the 21st century is primarily about creating a more sustainable environment and just society. Leadership must focus on a quiet revolution, a systems reset and a transformation to the next stage of our civilization. And this is not only a responsibility and pleasure of politicians but of every leader.
How can we inspire and grow people and organizations within the limits of our planet? How do you become the best for the world instead of the best and greatest of the world? How do you make the best decisions when all the desired information is not available? How do you avoid the reflex and detrimental effects of directive leadership? What actions should you take immediately in times of major crises?
Below is an overview of fascinating inspiriments and unique experiences. About the ethics and philosophy and of leadership and the 10 laws of effective crisis management. These inspirations can also be tailored to specific sectors, such as education or healthcare. Or focused on public administration or investors. And even for people in non-leadership positions, who have to lead because their boss doesn’t!
Connecting with emerging Self
1. Philosophy of leadership
Never waste a good crisis
2. Leadership in turbulent times
Dozen eminent reflections
3. Leadership and ethics
You only realize how important leadership is when it is absent. How do you make the best decisions based on incomplete information? How do you avoid the reflex of directive leadership? And what measures should you take immediately during major crises? What are the 10 laws of effective crisis management?
Our worldview reflects how we see things. In a complex and multicultural society, our own filters and bubbles create incidents with others and collisions with true reality. By taking a step back and reflecting on a dozen eminent principles of leadership, you will be better understood as a leader and people will start leading themselves.
Once upon a future
Fair and confronting: the complete story
Nothing is as far away as yesterday’s utopias
4. Leadership and politics
distributed leadership
5. Leadership and education
In times of great uncertainty and fears, effective leadership, focused on the common good, is critical to real progress and sustaining democracy. A dominant market, requires a strong, more regulatory government. The era of neoliberalism and meritocracy, along with shareholder capitalism, is nearing its end.
What drives political participation in the near future and what factors influence citizens’ political engagement? With society and the planet at its center, this unique inspiriment explores various forms of political engagement, ideologues and vital models for true, direct democracy, in order to better understand causes and effects. And above all to create real progress for humanity within the limits of the planet and its ecosystems.
How to unlock the potential of society and community and inspire citizens to desirable change?
Leadership in education is strongly determined by the perspective that is adopted. Educational institutions are often organized hierarchically: school leaders lead, the rest follow. But it is not the process, nor the classroom, nor the set goals that are leading, but bringing the full potential of the primary stakeholders to fruition: and that is, of course, the pupils or students together with their teachers.
Leadership must focus on discovering, reflecting and bringing to full bloom the potential of people so that they can continue to be of value to society well beyond retirement. Possibly financially; but certainly also socially and environmentally.
How do you bring people’s potential to full blossom and unleash their passion, so that life remains meaningful and has and keeps meaning? How do we bring distributed leadership into practice and what resistances does this evoke?
How do you develop together in a people-oriented and future-oriented way and make maximum use of the diverse qualities in school, including those of the pupils and students?
Connection with the emerging future and Self
6. Leading from the profound purpose
Don’t wait for wind. Row!
7. Conscious leadership
Wise lessons in practice
8. Practical perspectives
Leadership is about more than managing employees and meeting financial targets. Much more important is who you are as a leader. What do you want to mean for society and other people? Do you have a clear understanding of your purpose and do you have a clear vision of your non-negotiable values? Because these ensure that you can continue to lead with integrity from the profound purpose.
How do you connect with yourself, others and even with nature, of which you are a part? Are you resilient enough to face crises and lead eminent transitions?
Whether you are a CEO, governor, employee, student or lecturer, this inspiriment dares you to consciously take control of your future and keep it that way.
Using real-life examples and ten breakers for conscious leadership, this inspiriment or workshop will help you increase your emotional and social intelligence, become more stress-resistant, and lead with more compassion, conviction, vision, and joy for yourself and others.
Leadership is very topical and seems to be ubiquitous. Leadership is not for scared people and real leaders dare to take initiative because they are not afraid to fail. If the direction is the right one and the action is focused on the common good, you cannot fail, at most you can find a way to your goal that does not work.
Leaders have a vision of the future and the major transitions that are necessary. They not only provide direction but motivate others to join in and lead as well. Inspiring leaders with character are sensitive and understand the emotions and motivations of people around them and know how to encourage them to participate in innovation and transition. Or rather, leaders do not create followers, but inspire others to be leaders as well.
This unique inspiriment is based on practice and current insights and offers concrete suggestions on how you as a leader can get the maximum financial, social and ecological return from the potential you lead. Answers are given to the most pressing questions about leadership, just as persistent myths about leadership will be debunked.
Starting points for my work
Six principles for my inspirements
Six principles are central to my work and they articulate what I stand for and what I strive for. You’ll find them in all my keynotes, master classes, workshops, lectures, books and other publications.