It's time to rethink our approach to Leadership Development

Traditionally we think of organisations being led from the top, agree? Typically, the Board, Executive team or line management they set direction, they lead. Whilst organisation structures have become more fluid and agile in recent times (they have to be in order to respond to our rapidly changing and uncertain environment) I still believe leadership is a top-down process. This needs to change. 

We live in a world where, increasingly, we are holding others to account - governments for decisions, corporations for paying ‘fair tax’, companies for environmental and social responsibilities etc. So why, in today’s world, am I struck by the lack of accountability for our own behaviour and our own health?

This blog is inspired by two recent conversations. The first conversation involved a group of leaders who, as part of a leadership development programme I was delivering, were surprised when I revealed the secret magic leadership ingredient was “being you”.  The second conversation took place at a conference with a couple of delegates who were curious to learn “how do you develop your own brand?”

I’m sure many of you, like me, have recently enjoyed a summer holiday. Did you come back feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, ready to take on the challenges of the world? Yet within a week, possibly a few days or even hours, that rediscovered optimism was buried under the demands of emails, voicemails, project deadlines, family, household chores etc? If so, read on ...