Co-Active® Leadership ~ 5 Ways to Lead
by Ellie Eckhoff
The June issue of Harvard Business Review (HBR) is a special issue on How to Lead in Times of Crisis. The HBR had planned to cover marketing in their Summer Issue, until the situation in early spring made it abundantly clear “that the worldwide spread of the coronavirus would have vast implications for our careers, companies, economies, and psyches.” And, that was before upheaval, unrest, and outrage erupted here and spread across the globe due to injustice, perpetrated by racism that has festered for far too long.
Wow, this is not the typical start to summer.
These difficult times highlight this truth: “adversity does not build character, it reveals it.” Have you seen a colleague step up to lead in ways you would never have predicted? What about a leader who has tripped or crashed in a career limiting fashion?
The advice to leaders today is practically endless and the demands are beyond exhaustive. I’ve read more times that I can recall that a different leadership model is required. Today, we are sharing one that is worth learning. Co-Active Leadership offers a proven model for unlocking the potential of many rather than relying on the power of a few. This framework invites leaders at all levels to fuel connections and create opportunities for shared ownership of solutions. A five-dimensional approach recognizes that leadership has to be fluid and flexible and the roles leaders and followers play must shift to suit the situation.
Co-Active Leadership is a model of wholeness – both being and doing together to create change and growth.
- Co ~ suggests relationship, connection, and collaboration – how we can be together by listening deeply, holding space for others, and bringing more curiosity and less judgment to relationships.
- Active ~ stands for direction and action – what we do together to take charge and achieve our goals.
5 Ways to Lead
- Leader Within – This is the practice of leading with purpose and integrity, and from the inside out, rather than the outside in by letting go of self-limiting
beliefs and nourishing self-acceptance. It’s not only OK; it is imperative for leaders to take care of themselves first. How well are you doing that? - Leader in Front – This dimension generates connection and inspiration by having courageous conversations and demonstrating transparency. People want and need to know the truth – they can in fact handle the truth, as long as the “why” behind the decision is shared. What’s happening in your organization and how transparent are you in sharing the news? Borrowing from the words of Brene Brown “Clear is Kind. Unclear is Unkind.”
- Leader Behind – This is the practice of serving and coaching others by fully committing and championing them. It’s the leader who has fully embraced the presence and power of servant leadership.
- Leader Beside – The heart of this dimension is the belief that the sum of what we create is greater than what either one of us can generate on our own. Alignment is key here, knowing that disagreement and constructive debate lead to that intentional partnership and collaborative solutions.
- Leader in the Field – This dimension pushes us to create space to practice letting go of what is known and proven, trusting our insight and intuition and seeing that impact. It’s tough to deliver today and innovate for tomorrow. How are you developing the “next practices” while excelling at todays’ “best practices?”
This brief introduction to Co-Active Leadership offers a proven model for unlocking the potential of many rather than relying on the power of a few. Companies that take multiple points of view into consideration may be better able to determine where to focus for future growth. ClearRock has expertise in developing and coaching leaders at every level.
Learn more about Co-Active Leadership from the Co-Active Training Institute.
