Unleash Your Leadership
Welcome to Leadership is not a title where we explore what it takes to lead with purpose, courage, and intentionality. Leadership is driving influence and creating impact, not a title or position. If you like my take on Leadership, please sign up for my monthly newsletter here: https://drflofalayi.substack.com/
Unleashing your leadership is the only appropriate response for this season which according to Anneloes Smitsman, Ph D., can be described as the summation of "catalytic tipping points — climate tipping points, biodiversity tipping points, social tipping points, and economic tipping points."
These are unprecedented times, filled with uncertainty and disruptions, where the adaptable survive and thrive. These times expose complex systemic issues that we can not ignore any longer, and let me warn you that if you think the leaders the world needs are in the future or the offing, you will be greatly disappointed. Here is the truth, we are the leaders we've been yearning for and desperately waiting to appear.
Barriers and Challenges
We have reasons why we hold back, and as a leadership psychologist, I spend time enabling and coaching leaders to address these issues, biases, fears, inabilities, and barriers.
Let me share mine as well...
When I started my leadership journey about twenty-five years ago, I was on a different continent, technically competent and self-aware, but I couldn't shake off my socialization which constantly cautioned me to hold on and wait for permission. It was so bad that I would hold back my input, ideas, questions, and insights waiting for the opportune time.
Imagine my frustrations hearing others share insights and, for whatever reason, be unable to contribute. What a shame! I denied myself numerous leadership opportunities, and my silence was costly. I prevented others from interacting with my thought leadership; my hesitation was selfish.
If you were socialized to know your place, wait your turn, let your work speak for itself, or allow others older, perceived to be wiser, or those in the majority, or have been in the room longer go before you without your meaningful contribution, then you can relate to this horrible reality and why this is an urgent moment.
Urgency of Now
On?August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial on the Washington, D.C. National Mall, Dr. Martin Luther described a "fierce urgency of now." He reminded a divided naton that we need one another and that we are stronger when we march forward together.
I see a similar scenario today that requires an aggressive mindset focused on making up for lost time and missed opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about my evolution, read my dissertation, where I studied the impact of culture on multicultural leaders here:?https://search.proquest.com/docview/1845323496.
Leadership must be unleashed at all levels.
Here are a few things to consider on your journey today-??
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Are there other insights you would share? Please let me know in the comments.
Sincerely, Flo
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Dr. Flo?is a Hybrid leader: American-born, British Trained, and Nigerian Raised. Leadership Psychologist, Inclusion Strategist, and Executive Coach?@?Korn Ferry?|?Follow me on Twitter?@drflofalayi
Professor Contributor for The Wall Street Journal’s Education Team at The Wall Street Journal
2 年Bravo! You have identified key parts of leadership that every good leader must have. Of course, as we know, not every leader is a good leader, even if they think they are. Continuing to support a bad leader out of deference to their position is as bad as being a bad leader yourself. I teach a course called "Toxic Leadership." Each of my students, regardless of their current station in life, can identify the toxic leaders who have impacted their lives. Initially, they are devastated to identify who those leaders were. However, by the end of the course they (1) clearly understand what toxic leadership is and the harm it can do to others, (2) recognize that anyone can become a toxic leader without realizing it if they do not pay attention to their purpose and values, and (3) that no leader, toxic or otherwise, will succeed without willing followers. I am adding this comment, Dr. Flo, because your enlightened words lead to this flip side of leadership. If any one of us has become the prey of a toxic leader, we must look in the mirror first to see how we have paved the way for them to lead us astray as well. Thank you for your insight. Continue your good work!
Global Leadership Strategist | Empowering Leaders to Achieve Extraordinary Outcomes | MSc HEC/Oxford | ICF Master Certified Coach | ICF Global Brand Champion
2 年Very accurate; I can especially relate to being "socialised to know my place". It is a mindset that takes much shifting to get past and can hold one down. I remember sitting in rooms where I wasn't the oldest or the most senior back in my early days, yet what I heard didn't seem like the best solution, but my conditioning wouldn't let me provide that well-needed input. Later, I realised that I could have vocalised my thoughts and showed leadership without being rude. The tone and method would have made the difference. You are right; focus on value as it extends beyond your position, role or grade.