I had the great privilege of being one of the 'pioneers' of Create Seven's pilot on the first module of their New Leadership programme.
We spent three days together at The Centre For Alternative Technology in Snowdonia, Wales, exploring how mindfulness, connection to nature and creative dialogue can contribute to the creation and enabling of leaders for a more sustainable future.
Create Seven's mission to create leaders for a more sustainable future is based on the seven stages of psychological growth and the qualities needed to support the transition from conventional leadership to post-conventional.
The Discovering New Leadership module introduces participants to the three key areas that can help support leaders to the post-conventional stages of New Leadership
- Mindfulness - witnessing thoughts, emotions and behaviour to gain agility and experiencing a state of consciousness associated with the higher stages of development
- Connection with wilderness and nature - helping us to drop our own ego and learn from nature
- Creative Dialogue - connecting with other people and to think together to co-create the future
Over the course of the three days I was reminded of the power of mindfulness, nature and dialogue to give us space to reflect, connect with and better understand ourselves, others and the world around us. Just as Mother Nature creates space for all living things to thrive, so too can leaders. We can accept that we live in complex times and that no one person has the answer. By mindful listening and the new thinking generated by dialogue we can co-create more sustainable solutions and enable responsive and responsible leaders from all levels and across all sectors.
The next Discovering New Leadership module will run from the 22nd-24th April, if you would like further information or to register your interest please visit the Create Seven website.