My sister who is a systemic coach, and experienced third sector leader, coached me through a very rough spot on Saturday. At the end of which she jokingly suggested to just make a poster about my leadership approach, to sort my head.
If you followed for a while, you know by now that I can never resist a creative challenge. The process of creating, of entering that space of flow has always been an important coping mechanism. From poetry to mixed media art, the creative process is a powerful tool to work through stressors and trauma. So of course I spend some of my Saturday afternoon to make a poster! And my line manager asked if I am going to share it. Well, so here it is, sharing.
Now bare with me. This is of course an idealised version, what I strive towards. As usual this is a working out loud piece, a starting point, from which to work further. It is a reminder for how I aim to work, and what I want to achieve.
There are different dimensions to this (from left to right, top to bottom), this is where my thinking and reflections are at the moment, and I will keep working and tweaking this. So really interested to hear what your leadership style/model is.
1) Communication. Here one of the main points I keep trying to ask myself: What is the purpose of the communication. This is particularly important for The (ADHD) Brain because processing out loud is baseline MO. But also rules for engagement are important, transparency is key for me!
2) The trauma informed practice is by no means a comprehensive list but some of what I do already. Other elements of this are reflected in the other sections. If you are interested in a comprehensive evidence based model check out the Scottish Government’s Toolkit. I used to work with traumatised children and young adults, I have a rap sheet of training and work experiences, including a diploma in cognitive coaching, which linked coaching with cognitive behaviour therapy–just in case you were wondering where the trauma informed practice comes from.
3) Share! Working out Loud, Open Educational Practice, collaborating without fear. Sharing is not an act of performative perfectionism for me, but enactment of togetherness, of a joint purpose. Creating a save space within which everyone can engage in a way that makes sense for them (see the link back to trauma informed practice?).
4) Don’t wait for permission. One of the things that does not sit well with me is unnecessary gatekeeping. I usually use a term for this which is not fit for public use. Much conflict, angst, stress, is caused by gatekeeping that has no other purpose than to maintain particular power structures, and often individualistic control. Taking ownership and having agency within processes seems much healthier for all involved.
5) Gratefulness, can be very grounding. I know my strength and I know my weaknesses, and I am not afraid of either. And this allows me to appreciate the amazing colleagues I have the opportunity to work with. For instance one is so detail focussed–a detail stealth level I will never reach–and am grateful for the insights. One is a steady voice, in all the chaos, who is an anchor point. I will never be as steady and calm, so I am grateful for having this voice in my life.*
6) Boundary setting–healthy boundary setting–is probably the most challenging of all of these, over or undershooting in boundary setting is challenging to level out.** I am passing on a recent book recommendation here: The Power of a Positive No
*None of them is that simple and flat as a person I am just highlighting one of the characteristics for which I am particularly grateful
**I may or may not have been told to look after myself better today on several occassions …