Our Philosophy
Our definition of leadership can be found in an ancient source. 6th century B.C. philosopher, Lao Tzu said: "When the best leader's work is done, the people say, we did it ourselves." Leadership is the capacity of people to develop, to create, and to sustain over time. Paradoxically, the very acts of leadership that enable people to self-govern are often invisible, and rarely seen as leadership. We seek to discover, give voice, and create visibility for these subtle, yet critical, forms of leadership.
In our retreats and circles, we explore invisible and unclaimed aspects of
leadership (defined as the archetypal feminine) such as relationships,
community, connection to place and history, and the appreciation and
affirmation of life and life cycles. These aspects are often overshadowed by the more prevalent leadership
practices (the archetypal masculine) of focus, power, control, and achievement.
When integration of both feminine and masculine occurs, we move towards
wholeness and tap our greatest potential for leadership and creativity.
We are guided by a set of principles and
practices that have been
developed by community members and evolve as we
practice over time. These principles and practices support us to be authentic,
congruent, and more powerful leaders, creating healthy lives,
organizations, and communities.
Principles
Respect: We hold a stance of deep respect for all people and a place where our most authentic selves can be present. We "make room for one another," opening new possibilities for learning together.
Awareness: As we illuminate the assumptions, beliefs and feelings that root our actions, we learn how these either help or limit us in creating what we want. We strive to create greater consciousness within ourselves as individuals and within the communities in which we live.
Wholeness: Wisdom encompasses more than the intellect. Balancing heart, body, and mind with tasks and relationships is key to creating healthy environments. The journey towards wholeness is a healing process, integrating all parts of ourselves, the archetypal feminine and masculine, and connecting us to one another.
Authenticity: We support and encourage development of authentic self-expression; to peel away the layers that cover our gifts and bring greater power to our leadership work.
Memory: We seek to remember the past, our journeys as individuals, and the collective story. We explore our mythology and claim the truth of our own experience.
Emergence: We explore a generative approach to leadership and how we participate in the unfolding future. We tap into and participate with the flow of energy and resources all around us. We look for what is trying to emerge in our lives, our organizations, and our communities.
Practices
Story/Image/Myth: Stories and images are windows into our life experience, our culture, and our dreams. Listening to each other's stories helps us better understand ourselves, our differences, and our commonalities.
Reflection: To become more fully aware and conscious we must become observers of ourselves and able to surface and examine our embodied assumptions. We follow a spiral learning path that moves from reflection to action. The path circles back on itself, allowing us to hear and see with ever-deeper perspective.
Centering: Grounding and centering in our mind-body-spirit helps us integrate all parts of ourselves. We return to our center again and again when we find ourselves challenged by the realities of daily life.
Dialogue: We practice open inquiry where participants tell the truth of their own experience, listen deeply to others, and collectively explore the issues of leadership in today's world.
Intention: Choosing a focus sets energy in motion, creating a powerful magnet that attracts resources and support. In working with our intentions, we look for what is emerging, attend to the next steps and let go of predetermined outcomes.
Ritual: Our co-created rituals help us maintain and pass on our traditions and create a continuity of experience together. Rituals help us build and sustain the community as we grow.
