Whether a two-day introductory workshop or a year-long program, the very act of choosing to take time for self-development begins the process of regaining the centeredness and solid core that are elemental to authentic leaders who operate with integrity.
The highly capable leader is often pressed for time and continually negotiates how that time will be allocated. The ability to be responsibly responsive rather than defensively reactive in the crucible of rapid change is a test of character.
Character is not something we can package or purchase. It is developed over time and is in great part accrued through examination of one's life, what shaped it, and coming to see what it all means.
The development of competence at the expense of character development fosters a kind of leadership that accomplishes goals but does not contribute to the Common Good. The kind that tackles technical problems proficiently, but is not adept at addressing the tough adaptive challenges.
We have some of the most highly skilled and competent professionals working at and with Ki ThoughtBridge and in order to maintain high quality we engage in our inner work. We know this form of leadership development is essential and integral to the work we do in conflict resolution, mediation, and change management.
Whatever the tool is that we provide to clients it is always offered in the context of equipping leaders who have achieved much in their careers with what is more important than any job performance accolade – the opportunity to connect to and cultivate, and celebrate what really matters – their character. It is the leader's character as much as their competence that affects the culture and how its espoused values are integrated into the day-to-day practices.
Katherine Tyler Scott is the managing partner of Ki ThoughtBridge. Katherine is the founder and former President of Trustee Leadership Development, Inc., a resource center for governance leaders and not-for-profit organizations, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has more than 30 years of experience in leadership education and development, consultation, coaching and facilitation. Katherine is a nationally recognized speaker and has written extensively on the topics of leadership, trusteeship, organizational development, and change work.