Developing transformational leaders is the latest buzz term. Companies and leaders want a five or three or two day program that will transform leaders to be change agents – leaders for the “down economy” or “the new economic era.” Better yet, how about a day or a half-day seminar or lunch and learn that will radically alter someone’s perspective or mindset to jump start their team?

Now I am all for challenging assumptions about what can and can’t be done and in what timeframes. And I have tremendous respect for the complexities and possibilities for us as humans to change ourselves and create environments to inspire others to change.

It seems that everyone wants enlightenment and the “blessed state” but few are willing to do what it takes to get there. First, you need willing and eager participants who want to change. Because we are human types – we make change HARD. Some of what it takes is walking through the mud. The road to transformation is typically not an easy one and one frought with fear, uncertainty, perserverance, and guts.

The current climate has many running afraid. I see it as an opportunity to develop a heightened sense of awareness and presence. It is only in the moment can we truly change ourselves and others. In addition, to senior management support that allows a certain amount of realistic time for changes to take, the greatest asset any leader or organization has to enable true change is to plan big and attend to what lies right in front of you in the moment from that perspective. These times are testing those who have the optimism, strength and determination to perserve – to develop a sense of attention that will give you information and insights to form alliances, develop creative solutions that otherwise might not occur to you.

The greatest tool or process to employ is a daily discipline that cultivates your sense of presence and attention. This is counter-cultural to our ADD sound-bite culture. It is as simple and hard as that.

Are you willing?

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC www.sagelead.com

Todd Shea was a drug addict and a musician living hand to mouth. One would hardly call him a leader. The tragedies of 9/11 in NYC started the shift of his addiction from cocaine to rescue efforts around the world. With no medical training or a college degree, he started a hospital in Chikar, Pakistan. For more information on Todd, you can read about him in last Thursday’s New York Times:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/world/asia/25kashmir.html?th&emc=th.

I highlight Todd’s story to make this point: Many people shy away from the word “Leader”… or say, “Leaders are born not made,” “I don’t possess any leadership qualities and skills.” I believe everyone has potential to be a leader and leaders are developed not born or “made.” … And the greatest way leaders are developed is by stepping up to the challenges they experience in their current job or daily lives.

When something hits your core and you have passion about it, when you want something badly enough, you will figure out all sorts of ways to make things happen – and enlist others to help you. When you listen and pay attention to the concerns of those around you and allow yourself to be effected by them, this is leadership – serving others. The next step is figuring out what you need to do to make things happen and getting people to listen and follow you. Sometimes it’s just getting out in front of the crowd. Todd saw a need and filled it. He didn’t get caught up in his head with worries such as: “I am not qualified…who am I to do this?…. what if I don’t have enough money?… what will people say?”

Passion is the cure for inertia, paralysis and disconnection from yourself or others. I invite you to identify your passion and step up to the plate to go after it – despite all the reasons not to: not educated enough, not connected enough, not enough money, not skilled enough. ENOUGH!

Leadership qualities start with GUTS. Grab the courage and you can figure out the skills along the way. Many successful people have worked this way. Oprah didn’t have a business plan.

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC www.sagelead.com

I am breaking the last (?) taboo of “the corporate world” – to talk about energy, spirit – those intangibles that we all know exist – that really move us, give us meaning, and make a difference in how we are, how we feel, how we think and how we behave. Every leader and organization wants people’s passion and commitment. Who wouldn’t? But guess what? We are messy, complex, contradictory HUMAN beings and sometimes the road to desire – achieving what we want – is a rocky one. Can we have real commitment without people’s emotions, spirit, energy? Emotion is energy in motion. You don’t have this, you are stuck. This is the stuff we need to move, shape and create our world. Sometimes we have to walk through the mud – vent, disagree, etc. – before we get to the clarity and true agreement. This is sustainable growth – working with what is really going on, on all levels.
“Growth” is an interesting word. Growth can be hard work and painful – it doesn’t always feel good. But sometimes we need a kick in the butt to get out of our comfort zone. Boy was my “growth spurt” uncomfortable for me! It felt like a spurt on steroids. I had to be almost hit over the head to get a perspective on what I could and couldn’t control. But growth can also be fun, joyous and energizing. It’s all of life. To get the results you’re after with yourself, your team or your business, you can’t do this just in your head, you also need to be fully present – in your body and engage your emotions. …and to invite and give permission for others to do this.
When you show up for work on Monday morning, guess what? You bring all of you – head, heart and body. And at the end of the day, amidst bosses, colleagues, spouses, kids, friends – you are your starting and ending point. You can only change you.
But you, you can change!
So, hang on and come on an adventure with me! Let’s blow open the doors of our assumptions and mental models of who we are and how our life or our world should be – to get to what all of it is and can be!

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC www.sagelead.com