“Crucible - a transformative event- severe test or trial, which can be intense and traumatic - and always unplanned.” - Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas
“Crucibles force leaders into deep self-reflection, where they examine their values, question their assumptions, and hone their judgment.”1 Currently, we are living through a crucible experience – truly a time of unprecedented change and great upheaval; a time that is leaving leaders with countless questions and few answers. Bennis suggests that in times of such upheaval and change the wisest course of action is to become internally wise.
Over the past 18 years the Ki ThoughtBridge team has developed and refined a set of reflective practices and tools to help leaders become more internally wise and externally productive. The process we offer results in a deep level of self-knowledge and awareness. The Ki ThoughtBridge Inner Work of the Leader: Discovering the Leader Within© materials address one of the four key principles of our Integrated Model of Leadership©.
The work evokes clarity of one's personal purpose and mission and a deeper understanding of the key concepts of what Daniel Goleman has termed emotional intelligence - including empathy, self-motivation, self-regulation and social skill. The process invites leaders into an experience that unfolds through private reflection and dialogue within a learning community.
Individuals begin with a guided process of reflection focused on their personal history and unique leadership journey in order to develop a clear awareness of the values and the belief structures that form the foundation of their actions. Author Gregg Levoy suggests that, “certain patterns of a life can only be understood in retrospect.”2 By looking back we cultivate an appreciation of how our lives have been shaped by both our experience and by those who have shared our journey. With the benefit of such historical insight leaders have the means to more skillfully diagnose and understand their present realities. This work helps leaders gather the courage gained from past battles won and hard lessons learned, so they can step into the unknown with increased confidence and resolve.
This process of guided reflection also helps leaders discern, and claim with authority, their distinct combination of leadership gifts and skills. With such understanding leaders are able to consciously choose how they intend to align their individual values and their personal, professional and community leadership pursuits. Alignment of beliefs, values, and actions is the essence of one's personal mission. Gaining such alignment is at the heart of the Inner Work process. Managing partner of Ki ThoughtBridge, Katherine Tyler Scott, suggests that, “Discerning mission is a search for the significance of our lives and for congruence between our words and our deeds.” Ki ThoughtBridge recognizes that truly effective leaders are called by a deep inner desire to make a difference through their professional and volunteer service; and want to insure that their contributions have a lasting impact on a larger world context.
We witnessed this strong desire to serve the greater good most recently as we observed the passion with which candidates sought local, state and national political office in the fall election. It was especially clear in the final race for the US presidency. Both President-elect Obama and Senator McCain demonstrated how their deep personal values and beliefs have shaped their experience, character, and ultimately, their leadership pursuits. Both men were drawn onto the global stage by a profound commitment to service.
Throughout the campaign Obama espoused that he has long drawn upon the inner values of empathy and service first conveyed to him by his mother and grandparents. McCain spoke passionately about his values toward duty, honor and service. Clearly, each man's journey reflects his values. In Obama's case through his work first as a community organizer and grass roots advocate, and in McCain's case through his exemplary military career. Each man's values and journey lead him toward a life of public service.
The Inner Work process also teaches leaders key adaptive skills including the habit of engaging silence and solitude, the practice of creating hospitable space (which encourages others to offer their talents), skills for leading change effectively, and methodologies for cultivating personal courage and conveying vision. In the turbulent times we face, including threats of international terrorism, global warming, and an ever-deepening international economic crisis, the adaptive capacity of cultivating personal courage and defining a compelling vision is vital for successful leadership.
Our experience suggests that leaders who have given attention to their Inner Work are able to draw upon a reservoir of deep resolve, confidence, and inner authority, which allows them to span the chasm of doubt, uncertainty, and cynicism that great change can induce. By claiming one's courage to read current reality truthfully and engage others in honest, thoughtful dialogue, leaders can galvanize constituents toward action and renewal. It is our belief that perhaps one of the most courageous acts of self-development any leader can take is to engage in the process of deep self-assessment in order to define as our colleague, Parker Palmer, suggests “the ground upon which you stand.” We have found for many of our clients the process of Inner Work is transformative.
As we move into the New Year, it is our hope that our country, and its leaders across all sectors, shall discern their inner wisdom and claim the courage to successfully move through the crucible of change. Eleanor Roosevelt, whose wisdom supported an earlier generation during a similar time of unprecedented upheaval, offers us this reminder fitting for our present circumstances “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” The Inner Work of Leadership builds up that needed reservoir of strength, confidence and courage.
About the Author
Joanna Murray is a Partner with Ki ThoughtBridge. With Joanna's assistance, Ki ThoughtBridge has integrated its impressive reputation in the fields of negotiation, conflict resolution, and mediation with the expertise and intellectual property she helped to develop while leading Trustee Leadership Development, Inc. (TLD). Joanna has helped us develop new models allowing us to integrate the latest research and theory in leadership development into our work. Read more about Joanna.