Spiritual Leadership
A couple of weeks ago I attended a 3 hour presentation by Dr Brett Savage and Monimoy on Next Phase leadership. It is one of the valuable lessons to have come my way. Dr Brett makes a formidable presentation why contribution is key rather than performance. The paradigm of using performance seems limited when used as a stand alone measure to develop and groom leaders who can lead in this new world where uncertainty, change and daily reinvention are the drivers to flourish and thrive.
What piqued my interest to attend this seminar was the one minute introduction given by Monimoy. When he got on a call he said “this is about leadership and coaching of the next level”. I was intrigued as i wanted to know more about leadership & the coaching relationship
The key learning’s from the three hours were
1. It is all about service. How do you serve others? How does your service help others? It could be in your organisation, in your teams, at home or any dynamic relationship
What piqued my interest to attend this seminar was the one minute introduction given by Monimoy. When he got on a call he said “this is about leadership and coaching of the next level”. I was intrigued as i wanted to know more about leadership & the coaching relationship
The key learning’s from the three hours were
1. It is all about service. How do you serve others? How does your service help others? It could be in your organisation, in your teams, at home or any dynamic relationship
2. The contribution you make as part of the service speaks volumes as compared to how efficiently you do something which is not contributing to the bigger purpose
3. You will have to stop pleasing others to gain their approval before you can start contributing. Contribution focuses on the bigger purpose of why you are doing what you are doing! Irrespective of the title, designation, the pay grade etc etc
4. Powerful leadership is a spiritual practice. It is about letting go and subtraction rather than adding more of what you are already doing
1. It is all about Service
I was reminded of my days in the Indian Navy- the initial training and the years of service after. There was a constant reminder, that was drilled into the minds of each leader being trained, of what the true purpose was – To protect & serve others so that everyone could thrive and flourish. This purpose kept everyone going and prepared for any eventuality- even if one has to give up his life serving. We were being groomed to be leaders who serve, to give to others. When each leader comes from this space of serving true transformation occurs. An entire team stands up with the leader, as one cohesive unit, to any threat or challenge that unfolds in that moment. I have personally experienced and been part of inspiring teamwork in the most difficult of situations at sea. Without the purpose to serve there is no leadership. It then becomes a ego driven rat race. About rat race I read somewhere “you can win the rat race, but you will still remain a rat”.
2. Contribution as a Key. KPI Versus KCI
Looking back with the insight of what phase leadership has to offer I realize that contribution of each member is a vital key in evolving in this present environment. Contribution is not dependent on title, rank, pay grade, years of service in the organisation or team. – it predominantly deals with intangibles like energy, inspiration, value. As Dr Brett explained there are times when a contribution stack ranking might see a person holding a top title/ position in the organization way down the contribution ranking. Dr Brett used the phase leadership method to explain why this occurs and what can be done. One of the reasons is that leaders hold on to be subject matter experts and value individuality over team work. They are micro-managers, not because they want to do so but because they know no other way. Here is where coaching plays an important role.
3. Pleasing others is Not Contribution
When you are contributing and serving you don’t worry about pleasing others to get your KPI’s ticked and approved. You are going beyond your personal limits into the realm of serving the purpose that drives you. It means that you are free to think beyond the limited indicators that form your work scope. It provides a breakthrough so that you can move out of your comfort zone.
4. Leadership is a Spiritual practice
The leading question was – how do you get to that zone of contribution? Answer was “Let go and subtract ”.. This is where mindfulness, consciousness, awareness, centeredness, non-doing comes in play. Subtraction is the key here. Subtract your need to be always right. Eliminate the strong desire to have others approve of your every action, become aware of your need to be in the limelight. As a powerful leader you will need to move into the zone of serving powerfully. You serve in such a way that others/your team members start getting noticed, exceed their targets and feel valued. You coach others to become visionaries.
How does one learn this ? it is not taught in colleges nor in the skill set training program an organisation imparts to all as part of increasing productivity. This is where coaching by Dr Brett Savage and others like him come into picture.
In my opining phase leadership is an interesting step towards creating mindful and contributing leaders.You can learn more here nextphaseleadership
3. You will have to stop pleasing others to gain their approval before you can start contributing. Contribution focuses on the bigger purpose of why you are doing what you are doing! Irrespective of the title, designation, the pay grade etc etc
4. Powerful leadership is a spiritual practice. It is about letting go and subtraction rather than adding more of what you are already doing
1. It is all about Service
I was reminded of my days in the Indian Navy- the initial training and the years of service after. There was a constant reminder, that was drilled into the minds of each leader being trained, of what the true purpose was – To protect & serve others so that everyone could thrive and flourish. This purpose kept everyone going and prepared for any eventuality- even if one has to give up his life serving. We were being groomed to be leaders who serve, to give to others. When each leader comes from this space of serving true transformation occurs. An entire team stands up with the leader, as one cohesive unit, to any threat or challenge that unfolds in that moment. I have personally experienced and been part of inspiring teamwork in the most difficult of situations at sea. Without the purpose to serve there is no leadership. It then becomes a ego driven rat race. About rat race I read somewhere “you can win the rat race, but you will still remain a rat”.
2. Contribution as a Key. KPI Versus KCI
Looking back with the insight of what phase leadership has to offer I realize that contribution of each member is a vital key in evolving in this present environment. Contribution is not dependent on title, rank, pay grade, years of service in the organisation or team. – it predominantly deals with intangibles like energy, inspiration, value. As Dr Brett explained there are times when a contribution stack ranking might see a person holding a top title/ position in the organization way down the contribution ranking. Dr Brett used the phase leadership method to explain why this occurs and what can be done. One of the reasons is that leaders hold on to be subject matter experts and value individuality over team work. They are micro-managers, not because they want to do so but because they know no other way. Here is where coaching plays an important role.
3. Pleasing others is Not Contribution
When you are contributing and serving you don’t worry about pleasing others to get your KPI’s ticked and approved. You are going beyond your personal limits into the realm of serving the purpose that drives you. It means that you are free to think beyond the limited indicators that form your work scope. It provides a breakthrough so that you can move out of your comfort zone.
4. Leadership is a Spiritual practice
The leading question was – how do you get to that zone of contribution? Answer was “Let go and subtract ”.. This is where mindfulness, consciousness, awareness, centeredness, non-doing comes in play. Subtraction is the key here. Subtract your need to be always right. Eliminate the strong desire to have others approve of your every action, become aware of your need to be in the limelight. As a powerful leader you will need to move into the zone of serving powerfully. You serve in such a way that others/your team members start getting noticed, exceed their targets and feel valued. You coach others to become visionaries.
How does one learn this ? it is not taught in colleges nor in the skill set training program an organisation imparts to all as part of increasing productivity. This is where coaching by Dr Brett Savage and others like him come into picture.
In my opining phase leadership is an interesting step towards creating mindful and contributing leaders.You can learn more here nextphaseleadership
Comments
I ⅼove looking througһ an article that ᴡill make people think.
Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment!
Thank you Rosa