Leadership post covid lockdown: moving from "I" to "We" and other questions

07/17/20 • 45 min

My conversation with Ralf just as lockdown started to ease was around what questions we should be asking ourselves as leaders of systems and organizations. As I said to Ralf, this isn't about alchemy for answers. Rather, it's a review of what some of the useful questions are that leaders could be asking to build collective success in this rapidly changing world.
In this episode we discuss:
New world, same humans 2:00
A key question for leadership, how do you newly re-engage 7:14
Band-aiding and re-trenching isn't the answer 10:42
Asking the right questions is the leader's biggest work right now 12:40
Leaders stepping out of internal crisis mode 18:33
Alpha personas will not sustain what leadership needs now, vulnerability required 23:55
What drives leaders?
- Tension between personal achievement and the collective 30: 41
- Play lead violin or conduct a beautiful piece of music? 33:56
What are my boundaries and from what place is that informed? 37:18
As a leader, am I giving myself the space for silent reflection? 39:08
Inner independence: a practical not mystical exercise 40:53
Covid might help us learn what to cultivate (the inner and outer work) 43:35

Previous Episode

What could Inclusion mean for orgs as lockdown is eased?

First, let me apologize for the cracking sounds in this episode. I tried hard to get rid of it in editing. In the end, I had to make a choice between discarding the recording or going with it. #learninganddoing
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The question in my head, which spurred this episode is this, as people go back to work in formal workspaces, what does inclusion need right now in this time of crisis? If we were speaking to the leader, that is the leader of a particular system, whether it's HR as a system, managing people, or CE or GM, what would we tell them that inclusion needs right now? In this crisis as we move from levels 5 to 4, to 3 to 2? Will we ever get to 1? Life as it was???
In this episode we discuss
Job Security 12:00
Switching on consciousness as a leader 15:24
Financial Security 16:00
"I can be privileged without feeling privileged" 21:47
Being privileged: safer, familiar, valuable, likable 23:00
Contract of ignorance 26:42
Cues around languaging and systemic inclusion: support for leaders 30:34
Leadership really needs to create 'emotional' space 31:45
Social justice = sustainable social value 36:18
Access to emotional support in the workplace 40:48
Progress over perfection 42:45
The leaders who are exceptionally good at telling the story, win the hearts of the people 49:41
Cultures of survival replicate ugliness 53:33

Next Episode

COVID 19 series wrap up

In wrapping up the series, I have three conversations to share.
The first is with Mrs. Titi Akisanya. A highly experienced coach and recently outgoing President of the International Coaching Federation in Nigeria. We discuss gaslighting. Yes. Gaslighting from marketers and advertisers and how this isn't a positive coping strategy. We share what some positive strategies might be for easing (back) into life through COVID 19 and post lockdown. "Never let a good crisis go to waste". There are opportunities to be had, even in the midst of economic and physical lockdown. PS: there's a reason why this episode was special to me. Listen to find out. https://www.buzzsprout.com/988609/4471658-a-coach-s-approach-to-re-entry-post-covid-19-lockdown.mp3?blob_id=17532521&download=true
The second was a follow-up conversation with Roy Gluckman about COVID 19. It seems like forever ago we had this conversation. This is how I know time is different right now. We discuss what Diversity and Inclusion need from HR and Business leaders as we ease back into the workplace. "Being privileged is not always the same as feeling privileged". An important concept to contend with as we become more awake to issues of systemic racism. Listen here. https://www.buzzsprout.com/988609/4475663-what-could-inclusion-mean-for-orgs-as-lockdown-is-eased.mp3?blob_id=17557697&download=true
The third is with Ralf Schneider. Ralf and I asked ourselves what the questions leaders need to consider in moving from the "I" and operating and an obsession on self-achievement, to the "WE" and collaborative achievement. We believe this is what relational leadership requires and this is what Next Generation Leadership is about. There is inside work and outside work that leaders need to do to innovate and not just improvise through COVID 19. Thinking through what questions to ask is probably one of their most important tasks. https://www.buzzsprout.com/988609/4606370-leadership-post-covid-lockdown-moving-from-i-to-we-and-other-questions.mp3?blob_id=18175427&download=true