Deeper system understanding part 2  – the problem and the solution 2

 Section topic

  1. Awareness and two key skills to practice after OLab 6

1) Awareness and key skills to practice after OLab 6

Do you aspire to be a courageous leader? Fierce courage is the leadership skill of demonstrating that you truly believe in those you lead. Truly believing goes beyond just saying you believe, truly believing is about presence and noticing, and then articulating it to them.

  • Acknowledging versus saying nice things

Acknowledging, a skill that strengthens the being of the one you are interacting and connecting with. Its a way of developing the internal strengths in those you lead or collaborate with.

Too really see someone is to actually acknowledge who they ARE, and not just what they do. The clue is to be present enough to notice what qualities and values people really show you when they’re engaged in something. Truly seeing someone is to articulate their being before a) their actions and b) the results they’re getting.

Having the courage to notice, not solving – to articulate and acknowledge is how we truly see other people. Try it, it is wonderfully awkward in the beginning, then it suddenly becomes a life altering activity.

Want a leadership challenge?

  1. Write down the name of three of you reportees.
  2. Then write an acknowledgement of who they are or who they have been to achieve what they have achieved.
  3. Then share it verbally in-person to them.
  4. Remember; you don’t have to be all “pro” and rehearse it in advance (overthinking is actually what makes it awkward);  be honest and transparent; say that you’ve given your self a task or say that you would like to do something that you really prioritise. 

 

  • Witnessing 

Being there with the one your talking to. Witnessing consists of a few elements.

  1. Presence and deeper listening as opposed to being your own head.
  2. Not solving – you´ve ridden your self of the need to play a role, to be the one who solves, gives advice and saves the day.
  3. Being able to differentiate what people DO and who people ARE, and say it as simple as possible. You are ________
    (truly creative… bold… caring… thorough… warm…)

The skill of Witnessing creates a relational and mental space where not much is needed, other than admiration, acknowledgement and maybe a few words. It´s a skill known to be experienced extraordinary seldom.

 

“The success of an intervention depends on the interior condition of the intervenor”

William O’Brien, former CEO of the Hanover Insurance Company