Leading From our Deepest Calling
So … how did you get into leadership development?
You know the moment. You’re with friends or at an event, and someone from a completely different field or occupation is trying to understand what is it that you do exactly. There are usually a few obligatory questions, some polite follow-ups, and then the conversation either comes to a screeching halt, or there is some point of commonality that helps to create a meaningful connection.
So … leadership development … how did you get into that?
A longtime friend whom I recently reconnected with asked me this question a few weeks ago. It made me pause, and realize that I needed to revisit the roots of my career. How did I get here?
It was cathartic that day to relive and share some of the most important milestones that have shaped my own story. I felt reconnected to my original passion and a greater sense of purpose and motivation as I reflected.
What about you? What is your story of the how and the why behind the work you are doing?
In his work on clarifying your vocation, Parker Palmer proposes that one of our greatest callings in life is to find out who we are. As we explore our own unique and ‘deepest calling,’ Palmer believes that will lead us to our path of ‘authentic service’ to the world:
“Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic self-hood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks—we will also find our path of authentic service in the world.
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What is your deepest calling?
Why Leadership Development?
I love Palmer’s idea of a ‘deepest’ calling, of finding work that flows from the core of who we are and meets someone else’s needs in a powerful way.
I now feel that leadership development is one of my deepest callings, but I did not have a traditional path into this work. As an undergraduate student, I did not major in business, HR, organizational development, or any related field. In my sophmore year of college, I was recruited to become a Resident Assistant (RA) (a leader of my dormitory floor). The Student Development team at my undergraduate college had a strong vision that each RA (and all student leaders) would participate in a formal leadership development program.
I will be honest - at first, I was resistant to the extra time commitment of this training and viewed this as an annoying and unnecessary extra obligation. However, now I can humbly admit that it was through these early leadership training and development opportunities that I discovered leadership principles that transformed the way I see.
Through trial and error, practice and failure, and a growing commitment to learn, I discovered some key leadership principles that are still important to me today:
Serve those whom you lead. Take the time to hear people’s stories and listen to their challenges. Get to know them, understand them, and appreciate their unique strengths.
Get feedback about how people are experiencing your leadership. Take intentional effort to learn what people need, and respond thoughtfully.
Create communities where people are committed to supporting each other, having fun, and growing together.
Communicate clearly and consistently (… and then communicate again).
Approach every relationship holistically. Rather than value someone for the function that they provide in their role, value the fullness of who they are.
While serving as a dormitory leader for three years, I had a chance to study and practice these principles. Even now, after finishing a graduate degree in leadership, these fundamental principles are still some of the most meaningful and memorable.
Which of these principles are on your list? What other principles would you add?
What leadership principles do you live by?
Discovering a Deep Calling
After I left college, and began to work in different roles (as a language educator, teacher, advisor, and leadership development director), I began to realize that my early leadership training had a deep impact on shaping my values, igniting my passions, and carving out one of my deepest callings.
I feel a strong sense of dissonance when leaders are under-equipped to serve to their full potential…
… when a lack of awareness, tools, or education prevents progress
… when inconsistent leadership principles spiral into some type of dysfunction
… when toxic leaders are enabled, or when their loyal, well-intentioned followers are disempowered
… or when misunderstanding, miscommunication, and unhealthy conflict thwart collaboration
Being a leader — at any level — can be challenging, stressful, and fraught with complexities. Leaders need support and perspective, as well as intentional opportunities to reflect, strategize, and grow to meet the needs of the people or the organizations whom they serve.
As a leadership coach, my commitment is to serve as a catalyst for change for high capacity leaders who are working to make a difference. My desire as a coach is to partner and support leaders to develop:
greater clarity and self-awareness
transformational growth in a specific area
healthy, high-performing teams
deepened cultural humility and intercultural understanding
coaching skills to empower colleagues and direct reports
A few weeks ago, at the end of our coaching session, I asked a client, “what is a key takeaway today?” She responded: “I know now what is creating anxiety and I know what my action steps are to tackle that.”
It is this potential for developing awareness and action that energizes me in my calling as a leadership professor and coach.
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
What problem-solving passion brings you deep gladness?
Coaching Inspiration
Save some of the coaching inspiration and tools you enjoyed in this blog. Follow me on Pinterest, where I curate resources for leaders, educators, and teams.
References
Buechner, F. (1993). Wishful thinking: A theological ABC. Harper Collins.
Palmer, P. J. (1999). Let your life speak: Listening for the voice of vocation. John Wiley & Sons.
