The next generation of leader development invites the whole human. And addresses the whole system we are a part of. But most importantly, the next generation of leadership engages from the whole self. Then and only then can we together create what we need to serve this world, and the coming generations, through the jobs we go to every day.
A foundation in our work is the research field of developmental psychology. Briefly described, we all carry a set of inner psychological figures. A very similar set - we as humans are much more alike than different. When we start to experience these figures in ourselves four things happen:
We start to engage from our whole self. With all the power and capability that we hold.
We start to see and understand others more clearly. With all the nuances, colours and shades. In this we can help unlock the potential in others as well. Liberating the inherent power of our employees.
We start to see our teams through this lens. Noticing what hold us back, and what we can do to unlock our team power.
We see the system trough the same lens. Starting to see what parts of the system that enable people to achieve great things together, and what parts of the system that hold people back. (...and we often create an awful lot of things in our organisations that hold people back…)
Now, starting with the self…
All of our inner figures are there with a purpose. They all carry their own gifts. They all hold behaviours, fears, longing, triggers and traits - some that we are proud of and some that we might not be as proud of. Some of these don’t fit with the image we have
for who we wish to be. Some don’t fit in the social constructions that we are a part of.
Some don’t fit in the societal norms we are brought up in.
Often, we find strategies to handle, manage or avoid these aspects of ourselves. Strategies not leading to healing or integration, but rather uphold the fight we have with ourselves. Not letting us find peace. Not letting us rest in who we are.
In our work, we see a deep liberation when people realise that these unwanted behaviours, triggers and fears are parts of deeper patterns that exist in every human being. That all these patterns, all these figures are the essence of being human.
In that realisation we can stop fighting ourselves. And instead start to meet ourselves with an open heart. We can start to meet everything we see in ourselves in a curious embrace instead of judging, feeling ashamed, pushing away or applying strategies.
When we can meet ourselves in a full embrace, not wishing for any part to go away, our inner figures can rest. Rest in being accepted and embraced. In that rest, we ourselves can fully rest in being who we are, we can let go of the struggle to become someone we’re not. Opening for the full powers of being who we are.
And exploring our inner figures goes far beyond understanding ourselves. Since these figures exist in everyone, our self exploration will open a deeper understanding of others. Seeing new layers, seeing new dynamics in our interaction with others.
Also, we can see group dynamics through the lens of these figures, where one or a few of these figures are often dominant in a group, determining what we value and promote in that group. Also determining what does not get space. What is not welcomed. Limiting who we can be, as a group and as individuals in that group.
The same is valid for our organisational systems. Whether it is a company, an educational system, a society.. Often one or a few figures are dominant, limiting what world views we can hold within that system. Limiting who we can be within that system.
Thus, this research field gives us an anchored scientific model to understand ourselves, others, our teams and our organisational systems from a human perspective. To tend to the whole human, to the whole system and to the wholeness of how to create value together for the benefit of all.
The next generation of leader development needs to shape a deep understanding of human nature, and a deep understanding of that human nature as a superpower - when we can shape systems that unleash that power. Then and only then we can proudly lead into a future that we will be proud to leave to our children.
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