What the heck is Human Centred Leadership?
To start, I acknowledge the work of the CEO Whisperer, Anthony Howard, for his pioneering work, naming Human Centred Leadership before me.
I also acknowledge my teachers: Brene Brown; Joanna Macy; and Simon Sinek as those among many others who have contributed to my thinking.
What Human Centred Leadership (HCL) means to me is going to be different in the next moment, after I listen to the next podcast, read the next book and watch the next TED Talk. But today when I ask myself, what the heck is HCL here’s what I’d say:
It’s a response to the crapy leadership that has led us to where we are.
It’s a constructive way to channel my rage about the multiple crises we face.
It’s about giving a shit and giving up the things that hold us back and keep us from truly making a difference.
It’s about creating a new future for humanity.
A future we feel proud of.
A legacy that future generations will be glad we had the courage to make the difficult choices we did.
Courage to speak up, stand out and let our freak flag fly.
Courage to face our demons,
Courage to induce those different from us,
Courage to inspire with powerful vulnerability, risking looking foolish,
Courage to lead from our hearts and with wisdom.
Currently, the dominant culture of our society revolves around money and power.
We focus on blame.
We are divided by ideology.
We live in fear.
We live by values that no longer serve us.
Values that dehumanise.
Values that keep us from knowing ourselves because we are so busy trying to fit in.
Human Centred Leadership is about shifting our values to ones that will carry us through dark times.
Because we care about each other,
About each other’s well being as our own.
About the future of humanity taking responsibility
For our collective existence
Being committed to the possibility of humanity thriving, not just surviving.
Being open to the possibility of an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human existence on Earth.
Human Centred Leadership is about recognising we learn about our place in the world and about leadership from those around us. This is often inadequate and subject to cultural lag, where traditional values dominate.
Where progressive values are called for especially in light of all that is happening on earth today.
Where we acknowledge and amplify the behaviours that align with leadership that puts the future of humanity at the centre.
We encourage the growth and development of Human Centred Leadership practices.
Including skilling ourselves up and unlearning outmoded leadership styles.
Where we recognise the unintended consequences of those who have led us in the past and reserve judgement.
We bring compassion to the old unsustainable ways as we would an ageing grandparent.
Much of the conventional approaches to leadership were well intended.
It seemed like a good idea at the time, using the set of values and cultural context in place at the time.
And then things changed, or it didn’t pan out as expected.
Our anger and judgement don’t help us inspire change.
It creates defensive resistance.
Human Centred Leadership is about focusing on the future we want to create.
Starting with ourselves, at home, at work, in our communities.
Making change where we are with what we have.
Human Centred Leadership is driven by people who care.
Care about making a difference.
Care about living their values.
Care about risking vulnerability.
Care to support those around them.
Care to forge a new path and find ways to work together so we may go far and fast.
It starts now.
It starts here.
It starts with you and me.
This is why I offer HCL to develop new leaders and challenge ourselves to care in an uncaring world.
To learn and unlearn, to develop practices that inspire others and leave us feeling fulfilled, on purpose and proud of who we are for the world.
This is why I do this work.
