The world is desperate for more and better leadership. Not more heroic CEOs, or even capable teams of executives, but leadership that permeates every corner of every unit of every organization. The leadership we need can be done by anyone, at any level, in any circumstance. Realizing the promise of this kind of leadership requires a new paradigm, one that recognizes that leadership is both intensely personal and deeply organizational.
Thriving People.
Thriving Organizations.
A New Paradigm of Leadership
Leading Through was written to help people and organizations thrive.
Unfortunately, the dominant practices of executive and organizational action we see all around us are working against that goal. These practices are rooted in a paradigm of power – power over people – that acts like a legacy computer system in the world of organizations today – it is pervasive, deeply embedded, almost invisible and often destructive. The Power Over paradigm is fueled by a mindset focused on control through compliance and has long exhibited three key shortcomings: (1) it breeds organizational “darkness” (blurs vision, saps meaning and nurtures moral failure), (2) it wastes human talent and organizational potential, and (3) it stifles creativity and innovation. Because it is so pervasive and deeply embedded, many don’t recognize these practices as the culprit for these shortcomings.
The answer is leadership. Not the heroic CEO, or even a capable team of executives, but leadership that permeates the entire organization. This kind of leadership—real, effective leadership—is work. It is a specific kind of work, but it is work—the kind that mobilizes others to elevate the people, advance the purpose, and strengthen the productivity of an organization. The work of leadership is needed in every corner of every unit of every organization and it can be done by anyone, anywhere, at any level, in any circumstance. Realizing the promise of this kind of leadership requires a new paradigm, one that recognizes that leadership is both intensely personal and deeply organizational. Leading Through is that paradigm.
Leading Through introduces three metaphors—the soul, heart, and mind of leadership—to illustrate what the work of leadership really looks like: (1) it increases organizational light (soul); (2) it helps people to thrive (heart); and (3) it boosts creativity, ingenuity and innovation (mind). Leading Through is a book about activating the soul, heart, and mind to enable the people and organization that embrace them to thrive.