Taking the Leap: Leading with Awareness, Relationality, and Purpose
Leadership today is not just about managing what we know—it’s about navigating the unknown, grounded in awareness and a deep sense of relationality. As the world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, there is an opportunity to move beyond responding to challenges, by learning to co-sense, and co-create with the world around us.
Taking the leap is about stepping into a practice of continuous awareness. It’s about embracing a deeper connection to the interdependent relationships that shape our leadership. Daniel Goodenough emphasizes that leadership isn’t a solo act—it’s relational. As we move through the world, we are constantly engaging with the people, organizations, and systems around us. Our ability to sense and respond to these interdependencies helps us lead with clarity and purpose.
Our approach to connecting with the core of meaning begins with three key questions:
- Why am I here?
- What does that call me to do?
- Who does that call me to be?
These questions guide us into deeper relationality, encouraging leaders to stay present to the ever-evolving flow of personal and collective transformation. By further grounding our leadership in the good, the true, and the beautiful, we align ourselves with a purpose that transcends immediate outcomes, creating a foundation for more sustainable and meaningful leadership.
The leap into new leadership is a journey of continuous practice of awareness. By tuning into the interconnections between ourselves, others, and the world, we can respond to change with clarity and presence, creating new possibilities for our teams, organizations, and society.
Published WorkMore Relevant Reading
Sensitivity and AI: Investing Attention Where It Matters Most
A New Currency of Business Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how we work. It scans data, drafts reports, manages tasks, and suggests creative ideas. Many, many organizations are investing in AI. Yet a deeper question emerges: Where are we investing human attention? In the rush to adopt AI, some companies treat employee attention as a cost […]
When Complexity Calls: Expanding Leadership at the Edge of the Known
A decision under smoke The call came during wildfire season. Smoke had spread into several worksites, and air quality dropped to levels considered unsafe for human health. The expected course of action was clear: carry on as usual, maintain operations, absorb the cost later if necessary. Faced with the decision, Jill Taylor, as CEO of […]
Innovation and the Walls of the City
The achiever brain naturally wants to safeguard its domain so that success can continue indefinitely. As a result, we’ve created a heavily guarded virtual wall around the city of business. Inside those walls, companies often treat innovation as something to manage. A division is carved out, R&D is siloed, and the rest of the enterprise […]