Inspired-Leadership Essentials
WHAT TONE DOES YOUR LEADERSHIP SET?

Whether in presidential politics or the activities of the boardroom, many in leadership positions have been in the news for the tone or example their leadership has set. Unfortunately, many of the headlines tell of scandal, ethical breaches, and ill-used leadership opportunity.

Some leaders set the bar high, modeling and encouraging skillfulness, fortitude, honesty, vision, positive effect, and the outward manifestation of "the better angels of our nature." They help us to see what's possible, and put our best selves forward — individually and collectively. Other leaders radiate a tone that is divisive and uncivil or undignified, and we can all recall the now infamous stories about how Enron's leaders encouraged a corporate culture of severe competition, self-interest, and greed that led to ethical violations, financial losses, lawsuits, and the implosion of the company.

The moral of these stories and others is that everyone has a particular style, and through that style we affect others. Because many leaders have a more visible position, and often are allotted a certain degree of respect and authority by virtue of their position, they often have significant power and opportunity to establish a tone or style which others follow.

Evaluating leadership style by its ripple effect

What might we conclude about the leaders of a group or organization that was known for being highly ethical, and acted in ways that demonstrated kindness and respect for all with whom they interact? And what does it say about a leader, or leadership team, that presides over a psychopath corporation, for example? What about elected leaders who are considered polarizing, and who set the tone for a sharp increase in incivility and crassness?

The documentary, The Corporation, and the complementary book, Corporate Psychopaths: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, featured a well-researched thesis that most large corporations would qualify as psychopaths if judged by the same standards of individual classification (this comparison stems from the legal case that led to corporations having the same legal rights as individual persons). Interestingly, the filmmakers noted that most of the CEOs and executives of companies that clearly met the standards of psychopathic behavior considered themselves to be pretty nice, church-going folks. Often, the CEOs of psychopath corporations seemed like nice guys to other people, as well.

But can you be both - a nice guy outside of the office, and then preside over company decisions that satisfy the requirements for psychopathy? Does that make you more schizophrenic or sociopathic than anything else?

The organization or institution is a reflection of its people

While people often talk about specific corporations, or "the church," or "the government," as if that entity acts on its own (and too often in questionable or down-right awful ways), corporations, governments, churches and other institutions are made up of and led by individual people who make the choices and decisions that set organizational culture and determine the organization's or entity's actions.

If leaders are simply "towing the line," or using that as an excuse for setting a tone of incivility, aggression, hostility, and harm, can they really be considered leaders, much less "nice people"? And won't the gap between supposed private values and their public or corporate life ultimately render them in half, with consequences to health and spirit?

Conscious leaders are aware of the tone they set, and take responsibility for it — both in the process of it, and when they see the consequences and effects, for better or worse, their actions have sewn.

Conscious leaders who are ethical and spiritually aligned ensure that their actions, words, style, etc. are setting a tone that uplifts, unifies, and encourages people to their highest potential as individuals and on behalf of the whole.

Reflection Questions:

• What tone do you set with your style, words, actions?
• Do you live two lives - with one "ethical, religious" style for home and a "psychopath corporation" style at work?
• What impact would you like to have - what would you like your legacy to be?
• Does your current style reflect and "seed" this?
• How can you start today to begin to close the gap between the "soul you," and who and how your are in and through your work?

For more food-for-thought on leadership and visionaries, see the links following this article. For help in clarifying and making progress towards your own vision for inspired leadership, conscious enterprise, or big-vision entrepreneurship, contact us at Ivy Sea to explore the possibilities.

This material is protected by copyright, and is offered as food-for-thought rather than customized counsel. As always, the most effective strategy is one that's specifically tailored to your unique organizational culture, group personality, and individual needs. Have questions? We welcome your email inquiry.

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Skillful Listening Essentials. The "Skillful Listening Essentials" PDF Tip Kit offers information, reflections, food-for-thought, and suggestions for practice that help increase one's ability to listen skillfully.

Our Ivy Sea listening-skillbuilder PDF guide includes a review and tips for smoother interactions, listening deeply, fostering greater receptivity required for effective listening, inquiring more skillfully, being more conscious, and more. (39 pages, copyright protected, Ivy Sea, Inc.)

Or you might need:

• Big-Vision SOHO/SoloPreneur's Quantum Leap Guide
• Workplace Communication Essentials
• Creating Conscious Enterprise and Big-Vision Livelihood
• Vision-Energizing Value Pack
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