Does your Leadership Need a Rethink?
Recently, I’ve been playing with a new model of #leadership. Shining a light on leadership today and asking: How does it stack up? And more personally: How do you stack up as a leader?
If we passed that light through a prism, it would refract into all the colours of the rainbow. Each colour or band, a stage in your development as an impactful leader.? Regardless of what position you hold in your organisation, your level on the #leadershipspectrum is determined by your personal power; not? your positional power. It reflects your capacity and effectiveness as a leader to make a positive impact in your work and life.
The three bands at the base of the spectrum — red, orange and yellow — are the foundations of leadership, where you master your personal power and lead yourself.? Leadership here is ego-driven; all about you and your goals or career aspirations.
The next two bands — green and blue — are conscious leadership, where you master your purpose, share your vision and inspire and lead others.? Leadership here is service-based. Thus, reaching this level requires a mindset shift.
The final two bands — indigo and violet — are enlightened leadership, where you master global impact and lead global change. Few leaders reach this state, as it involves yet another mindset shift from service-based leadership to selfless leadership. At this level, leaders have earned the trust and respect of their global communities to change the rules of the game.
Many #womenleaders in senior roles come to me run ragged with the stress they’re under. Working long hours in an always on environment; dealing with uncertainty and change, thwarted by unconscious biases. And frustrated they’re not making the progress or the impact they know they’re capable of.
That’s Red.? Survivor. Unable to make much of an impact because you’re just getting by — and dangerous, as it can so easily lead to burn out if you’re not careful.? You can be at the top of the pile, as I was in my last corporate role, and be a red level leader.
Most women leaders at red want OUT! And fast! Find another job, in an organisation with a better workplace culture. Whilst that’s a typical response — unfortunately, not the one that will ensure you master your personal power and truly lead effectively.
Busy Bee Orange leaders are getting things done and getting ahead. Ego-driven, it’s all about the individual and his or her advancement. This is where most leaders sit, with their personal and/or hidden agendas, the political posturing, power plays, blame game tactics so prevalent in many organisations. And why so many organisations have an ‘orange’ workplace culture.
The mindset at red and orange is victim mentality. Someone or something else is to blame for your circumstances or lack of progress. However, any advancement or achievement is entirely your own doing. You give away your power.
As a Yellow Player, you reclaim that power and awaken to your potential. Make that mindset shift from victim to taking personal responsibility. As you get clear on your vision, values and the value you bring to your organisation, you master your personal power. You’re now ready to take a stand for what matters most to you.
As you advance through Red, Orange and Yellow, you develop the resilience and resourcefulness to deal with whatever life throws at you. External circumstances no longer affect you either negatively or positively. You’re solid and certain in who you are, clear on your vision and the value you bring to others.
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Having mastered your personal power, you can lead yourself, regardless of external circumstances. Your inner world is stable.? You are now in a position to make an impact.
As a Green Impactful Leader, you live your soul purpose, sharing your vision and values and inspiring and enrolling others in your vision, so that, collectively, you can make a real difference. You enrol your mentors, sponsors, find your champions, and achieve that outcome through others. You serve your vision for a better world.
At Blue Thought Leader, you extend your? impact and influence to a wider community, still leading from serving your vision and making an even greater impact through your work.? It is here that you develop your speaking career, publish widely and take an even bigger stand for what most matters to you.
An Indigo Leader has earned the trust and respect of their global community to change the rules of the game in that area. I think here of the late Nelson Mandela, so centred in his personal power, so true to his vision for South Africa, that he could endure hardship and prison, yet still attract to him global leaders and so many ordinary people inspired by his vision. Collectively, they changed the rules of the game in RSA politics.
He became a Legend in his lifetime.
Imagine for a moment, what our world would be like if we had more enlightened leaders. If we brought them together, could we not resolve many of the existential challenges we are facing?? I wonder….
And realise there are other worrying things at play in leadership today. It’s not simply the dearth of Enlightened leaders, but also the fact that so many Orange level leaders are changing the rules of the game, without earning our trust. Often, as is the case with the leaders of Big Tech, Big Pharma, Big AgroChemical, etc., changing the rules of the game without our knowledge. And impacting every aspect of our lives.
Does #leadership today need a rethink? What’s your opinion? I certainly think so.
Almira
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways in which we can help you lead a richer, more fulfilling professional and personal life