Two world leaders addressed the same global audience at the same moment in history and gave us a rare window into fundamentally different ways of making meaning. What can we learn from it all?
What a brilliantly balanced piece on leadership development! The section acknowledging the Opportunist's superpower really stood out - it takes serious self-awareness to resist making this a simple hierachy where 'later equals better'. That nuance is exactly what's missing in most political discourse. I've definately noticed how people with less self-censorship often voice things that need saying, even if clumsily. The real challenge is channeling that raw energy constructively, dunno if that's even truly possible.
Yes, I do think being able to see more of the nuance would help us break through some of the polarisation, but that is so hard to do when we’re incensend and emotions are running high on all sides.
Thank you, Alis! Great article, as usual! I wonder to what extent later stage development leaders have the ability to dialogue (can't find a better word, it's not "fight" and not exactly "cooperate") with earlier stages...
I think Carney’s response when he was in the “hot seat” at the White House a while ago and Trump said he wanted to buy Canada was a great example of a late stage leader susscessfully maneuvering around the limitations of an early-stage mindset. I do have a follow up article in mind looking at the dynamics between the stages. Thank you for the nudge!
Thank you for such a clear-eyed, balanced and broad piece Alis. I savoured all of your analysis, to be honest, lots of resonance with my own reflections on the 2 worldviews - thank you for articulating it with such clarity, humility and fierce resolve.
It's good not to feel alone, Christopher. These pieces about the politics of the day always feel a bit edgy, a bit risky - who needs more negative energy in their lives? But at the same time, I feel we need to voice, to make sense, and most importantly, to stand together in reflection and action.
I am a member of the vertical development listserve and have not been attending, but after reading this piece I see that perhaps I should be. Thank you for your clear and honest thinking here.
After reading this, it occurs to me that you might enjoy my retirement activity here in Substack, which I am calling The Book of Forgotten Words. The idea is that each week I identify one archaic, often long forgotten word that has (in my view) profound contemporary relevance. Here is the latest entry on MLK day, which orients itself to several of the domains you analyze in this piece.
I am so glad the article resonated, Craig, and hope to see you in some of the nerdy communities we share. Thank you so much for the gift of 'σοφροσύνη' - what a profound concept, what a precious articulation of what true wisdom looks like! I cannot wait to read more of your substack and learn more from you.
Thank you, Alis, for such a robust, scholarly articulation of this fiercely contentious and emotive topic. it is helpful, insightful and a great framework to make some sense of the seemingly senseless
Another brilliant analysis, Alis! I love how your kind works and particularly how effectively you translate the theory into practice. This work is a great example. I'll be sharing it widely! Many thanks!
Bravo for "taking your sign out of the window" :-) I've been in workshops with Suzanne and Bill, and I think you've captured this situation and distinction of stages perfectly. I was just discussing this with a colleague - and think you're spot on: "Too much of our field (of leadership development) remains focused on performance goals and horizontal development (more skills, more frameworks, more techniques)." Thanks for an excellent article!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Abby! I think there are so many wonderful people in the space of adult development who can help foster these conversations in all sorts of contexts. I’d love to learn more about how different developmental coaches/consultants are turning this theory into practice. There is so much we can learn from eachother!
What a brilliantly balanced piece on leadership development! The section acknowledging the Opportunist's superpower really stood out - it takes serious self-awareness to resist making this a simple hierachy where 'later equals better'. That nuance is exactly what's missing in most political discourse. I've definately noticed how people with less self-censorship often voice things that need saying, even if clumsily. The real challenge is channeling that raw energy constructively, dunno if that's even truly possible.
Yes, I do think being able to see more of the nuance would help us break through some of the polarisation, but that is so hard to do when we’re incensend and emotions are running high on all sides.
Thank you Alis. I could listen to your insights all day. I have great appreciation for the way you write too, so pragmatic.
So happy you found it useful, Jo!
I love everything about this - and not just because I am Canadian 🇨🇦
Your explanation of this situation and the vertical development perspectives is, as usual, clear and thought-provoking. I love learning from you.
May all countries choose leaders who operate from the higher octaves. May peace prevail on earth. ☮️
May it be so, Kellie! You voiced the same hope I hold!
Thank you for helping us see this through the lens of vertical development, Alis. What a time.
-Jenks
Phew, indeed, Brandon. History in the making.
Thank you, Alis! Great article, as usual! I wonder to what extent later stage development leaders have the ability to dialogue (can't find a better word, it's not "fight" and not exactly "cooperate") with earlier stages...
I think Carney’s response when he was in the “hot seat” at the White House a while ago and Trump said he wanted to buy Canada was a great example of a late stage leader susscessfully maneuvering around the limitations of an early-stage mindset. I do have a follow up article in mind looking at the dynamics between the stages. Thank you for the nudge!
Thank you for such a clear-eyed, balanced and broad piece Alis. I savoured all of your analysis, to be honest, lots of resonance with my own reflections on the 2 worldviews - thank you for articulating it with such clarity, humility and fierce resolve.
It's good not to feel alone, Christopher. These pieces about the politics of the day always feel a bit edgy, a bit risky - who needs more negative energy in their lives? But at the same time, I feel we need to voice, to make sense, and most importantly, to stand together in reflection and action.
Dear Alis,
I am a member of the vertical development listserve and have not been attending, but after reading this piece I see that perhaps I should be. Thank you for your clear and honest thinking here.
After reading this, it occurs to me that you might enjoy my retirement activity here in Substack, which I am calling The Book of Forgotten Words. The idea is that each week I identify one archaic, often long forgotten word that has (in my view) profound contemporary relevance. Here is the latest entry on MLK day, which orients itself to several of the domains you analyze in this piece.
Thanks again.
Craig
https://open.substack.com/pub/forgottenwords/p/sophrosyne?r=o12gw&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
I am so glad the article resonated, Craig, and hope to see you in some of the nerdy communities we share. Thank you so much for the gift of 'σοφροσύνη' - what a profound concept, what a precious articulation of what true wisdom looks like! I cannot wait to read more of your substack and learn more from you.
Thank you, Alis, for such a robust, scholarly articulation of this fiercely contentious and emotive topic. it is helpful, insightful and a great framework to make some sense of the seemingly senseless
Another brilliant analysis, Alis! I love how your kind works and particularly how effectively you translate the theory into practice. This work is a great example. I'll be sharing it widely! Many thanks!
Bravo for "taking your sign out of the window" :-) I've been in workshops with Suzanne and Bill, and I think you've captured this situation and distinction of stages perfectly. I was just discussing this with a colleague - and think you're spot on: "Too much of our field (of leadership development) remains focused on performance goals and horizontal development (more skills, more frameworks, more techniques)." Thanks for an excellent article!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Abby! I think there are so many wonderful people in the space of adult development who can help foster these conversations in all sorts of contexts. I’d love to learn more about how different developmental coaches/consultants are turning this theory into practice. There is so much we can learn from eachother!
Thank you for naming and storying this, Alis, so aptly and engagingly.