Navigating the "Stuck" State: Leadership and Follower Dilemmas in a Deliberatively Developmental Journey

In the complex landscape of personal and organizational growth, one of the most significant challenges is overcoming the sensation of being "stuck." This state, where progress feels stalled despite considerable effort, is a common experience in deliberative developmental journeys, particularly when striving to sustain high growth. Our recent iteration of the "Leading in Uncertainty" series exemplifies this struggle, reflecting on four years of deep, iterative engagement designed to push the boundaries of how we think and lead.

The Iterative Journey of Growth

Over thousands of conversations and robust discussions across the Globe, we've seen participants evolve from their previous ways of knowing, challenging and transcending established thought patterns. The uniqueness of these workshops lies in their voluntary, Salon-style format, where individuals are encouraged to find and express their voices. This freedom fosters thought leadership, allowing each participant to take the reins, whether for a single session or an entire series. Such a format not only encourages leadership but also cultivates a shared learning environment where experiences and knowledge are collectively enriched.

Key Focus Areas

Our discussions have covered a wide array of topics, each designed to provoke deeper thinking and challenge the status quo:

• The Art of Asking Smarter Questions: This topic explores why consistent growth is so challenging and emphasizes the importance of inquiry in driving progress.
• The 'Inside Out' Leadership Journey: Drawing from McKinsey's insights, we examined how personal growth is intrinsically linked to professional success.
• Designing Change Programs: We discussed innovative ways to connect rare dots, fostering better workplace ideas and their implementation.
• Overcoming the 'Glass Ceiling': Using the three plateaus of adult mental development, we explored strategies to break through perceived limitations.
• The Role of Fractionalized Leadership: This concept delves into how leadership responsibilities can be distributed and shared to enhance organizational agility and innovation.

Reflections and Insights

Throughout these sessions, we continually challenged ourselves to ask questions from more evolved levels of consciousness, which led to a new awareness of true mental transformation. This reflective process was not just about understanding new concepts but synthesizing them into our practices, allowing us to apply these insights in meaningful ways.

The Leadership and Follower Dilemma

A recurring theme in our discussions was the leadership and follower dilemma in transitioning through developmental stages. Leaders often feel the weight of guiding their teams through uncertainty, while followers may struggle with the discomfort of change and the unknown. This dynamic can create a sense of being stuck, where both leaders and followers are unsure how to progress. The voluntary nature of our workshops allowed participants to explore these feelings openly, offering a safe space to challenge and be challenged.

Voices from the Field

We asked ourselves critical questions to help unstick our current ways of knowing:

• Are we truly listening to each other? The importance of genuine listening cannot be overstated. It is through hearing and valuing different perspectives that we can break free from entrenched patterns.
• What happens when we get stuck in one way of knowing? Recognizing when we are trapped in a single perspective is the first step toward challenging the status quo.
• How can different perspectives help unstick our current ways of knowing? Whether through the lens of a coach, consultant, leader, or entrepreneur, diverse viewpoints can illuminate new paths forward.
• When do these perspectives become valuable? Understanding the right moment to integrate these perspectives is crucial for both individuals and organizations.

Looking Ahead

As I prepare to join Nuno's next cohort in August, the decision to continue with both groups or focus on one will depend on the needs and responses of the participants. Nuno's framework offers a promising avenue for further exploration, connecting the dots between personal and professional growth.

In conclusion, the journey of being "stuck" is not a dead end but an invitation to delve deeper, question more profoundly, and emerge with a more nuanced understanding of leadership and growth. The iterative process of engagement, reflection, and co-emergence is the path forward, allowing us to sustain high growth and navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Upcoming Events

15augLeading in Uncertainty August-Sept 2024 https://www.recree8.com/our-events/

06augRumble in the Jungle Workshop August 2024 https://www.recree8.com/our-events/

14augBuilding Your Own High Value Networks August-Sept 2024 https://www.recree8.com/our-events/

Your Host Dr Kieth Deats https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/dr-kieth-deats-658b2216/

Connect your Dots Unlocking New Thinking to Navigate Uncertainty

Your facilitator and host Nuno Reis PhD https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/nuno-reis/

1st session (welcome) is on 7th Aug?@1pm London time Registration link:?https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtdu6oqzspGdD18Vcn54lGJeJdJ_6PXbUC

(feel free to register your name there if not done yet) Then, I plan to start the 5-week cohort on the following?dates: - every Wednesday starting 14th @1pm London time, for 1h30m session - every Friday starting 16th?@5pm London time, BONUS session for 1h

East Trade Winds Global Business Connector

Your Host: Bernie Franzgrote https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/bernie-franzgrote/

East Trade Winds We meet every Tuesday starting September 3, 2024

8 to 9 AM EST CLICK here to join

Resources

The Art of Asking Smarter Questions https://hbr.org/2024/05/the-art-of-asking-smarter-questions

How Part-Time Senior Leaders Can Help Your Business https://hbr.org/2024/07/how-part-time-senior-leaders-can-help-your-business

Why Consistent Growth Is So Challenging https://store.hbr.org/product/why-consistent-growth-is-so-challenging/r2402b?sku=R2402B-PDF-ENG

The ‘inside out’ leadership journey: How personal growth creates the path to success | McKinsey

Group Thought Leaders

Dr Kieth Deats MBA DRBA(Bus Econ); https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/dr-kieth-deats-658b2216/

Nuno Reis PhD; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/nuno-reis/

Mary Corbett MA Applied Psychology; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/marycorbettcoaching/

Angela Daye; BSc (Hons) MSc IT; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/asdaye/

Chris Sturges; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/chrissturges/

Percy Barr; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/percy-barr-10992b10/

Milton Stark; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/milton-stark-96232b44/

Bernie Franzgrote BA Psychology; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/bernie-franzgrote/

Willie Nicol LLB; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/willienicolcoaching/