Developing Transformational Leaders is Hot But Are You Willing To Do What It Takes?
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 fraught 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 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?