Last week I attended a stunning cultural day at the School of Philosophy where I’ve been studying for the last year. One of the sessions I attended was Philosophy and Leadership run by a wonderful elderly gentleman, Mr Brewster. In just one hour, this insightful and humble man changed my whole view on leadership. His words were simple, powerful and challenging and they ran deep.
Given my increasing sadness (and at times rage) at the woefully inadequate leadership of many of our public, private and government institutions, it was a warm and gentle reminder that all is not lost. It was also a reminder that as a leader myself (and we all are), I needed to take a long hard look in the mirror rather than pointing the finger at others. (Yes, I needed to be the change I wished to see in the leadership world.)
So I’ve been doing lots of reflecting and journaling in the wee hours of the morning on the type of leader I wish to be and am becoming (because of course we never arrive and no-one is ever perfect). I wish to be a leader that boldly paints the vision and purpose (the what and the why) and who allows the how to unfold as we take bold steps forward together. I wish to be a leader that is driven by consciousness and compassion not dollars and deadlines. I wish to be a leader that embraces collaborative learning and the collective wisdom of the group. I wish to be a leader that is dedicated to bringing the next generation on the journey with us. I wish to be a leader that is vulnerable, and who cries and laughs and has lots of fun with others. I wish to be a leader that is courageous in her views and who takes action towards restoring the imbalance between the feminine and the masculine in life and business. And that’s just for starters.
What kind of leader do you wish to be?
Out of this journaling in the wee hours of the morning, came the purpose (along with a few tears) for the Reinvent your Business community:
To curate a co-learning community/school of like-minded, experienced professionals who share the common purpose to make a positive contribution to humanity and the planet.
And I’ve been taking a few bold steps already. The first step is a series of Deep Dinners with the people who are already part of the RYB co-op to help understand how we might achieve this purpose.
The second step is my continued commitment to growing the RYB co-op through my one-day seminars introducing you to my philosophies on business, capitalism and marketing and how to reinvent your business following real live examples of people that have done it. I’m also trialling a ‘pay what you can model’ for the first time. If you like what you read, I’d love to see you at my next seminars in Melbourne on Friday 6 June and Sydney on Monday 23 June.
Whatever your journey as a leader and a follower (for we are all both), I wish you every success.
To love and courage!
PS It’s also not too late to register for the Conscious Capitalism event tomorrow evening at the Hub Melbourne. Click here
PPS If you’re keen to find about the personal journey I undertook to get me where I am today, Unstuck in Provence is now available! Click here
