Raw and Naked: Leadership in the Real World

I've had two outstanding weeks with wonderful leaders - of organisations, industries, companies. I was facilitating a leadership program for seasoned leaders - focused on deep self-awareness, new and expansive ways of thinking, and profound shifts required in leadership for our world.

Our world - volatile, inter-connected, dizzying rates of change in all areas, and much in need of values-driven leadership.

We looked at futurist thinking - spotting global trends and forecasting their effects on our own patch of grass. We tried out creative thinking processes - for fresh ideas on old issues. We pondered the evolution of the leadership maturity framework and how we can evolve our thinking and being in the world for deep social impact.

And beyond the profound intellectual insights, these truths resonated:

Leadership is a profoundly personal path. It's arduous, turbulent, unknown, and risky.

One thing is assured: when you don the mantel of leader, you are profoundly changed forever.

To influence as a leader you need to scrub yourself clean - of old thought patterns and beliefs that limit your confidence, shackle your confidence. This is a scary process - you must burn away the old comfortable skin - and be willing to stand naked, in the raw truth of who you really are. And there, in your bare glory, be ok with all that you find - vulnerabilities, desires, foibles, failings. Strengths, courage, and passion too.

It is only when we show deep compassion and acceptance for ourselves that we can create that space for others. In our shimmering honesty, we invite the truth from others. We build a space of openness, of courage, of integrity.

That's the kind of world I want to live in. A world where we value the strength it takes to show vulnerability, we honour the courage it takes to admit being wrong, and the courage to risk making mistakes.

I don't want the world we often find ourselves in: the one where titles masquerade as leadership, where bravado falsely implies courage, where values are waved as flags instead of embraced as the architecture of our soul.

I want to live in this - the real world - of truth, compassion, and integrity where leaders stand raw, naked,  profoundly honest and utterly inspiring.

Do you know a leader like that? I'd love to hear about them. Maybe it's you! Please share yourself with the world!