Cheryl Johnson: When we look at leadership in the 21st century, it's clear the traditional models are, well, starting to show their limitations. They're designed for a time that simply doesn't exist anymore, marked by slower changes, more rigid hierarchies, and, honestly, less uncertainty than what we're grappling with today.
Servant leadership, where the focus is on putting others first. Okay, can we break this down a little bit? I mean, these terms sound great, but what makes them, well, better than what we've been doing? What makes them better is how they address the realities we're facing. Traditional leadership often creates silos.
Exactly. And let me share a quick story to illustrate this. Imagine a non profit where staff turnover was high, donors weren't renewing their commitments, and honestly, morale was just in the gutter. But the director decided to lean into servant leadership. She started actively listening to her team, involving them in decision making processes, and being genuinely transparent about the organization's challenges.
So, with that sense of alignment and purpose in mind, let's dive into the actual framework, the five steps that make harmonic leadership not just a theory, but something people can actively apply in their lives and organizations. It's practical, straightforward, and designed to fit. Right into the complexities of modern leadership.
So, kind of like a personal audit, right? Exactly. It's about grounding yourself, because let's face it, if you don't know who you are or what you stand for, how can you lead others? Now step two takes us deeper with servant leadership. Here, participants focus on serving others. Whether it's their teams, their communities, or stakeholders.
Some of the most impactful leaders in history led by example. They didn't need, you know, big speeches or dramatic gestures. They created change by being reliable, reflective. and intentional. Participants get to explore this through activities like silent retreats and peer led discussions. So it's kind of a balance, strong yet subtle leadership?
Oh, I love that. It's like leadership with a purpose. So you're not just learning, you're doing. Exactly. And then step five, it closes the loop. This is where graduates become empowered to certify and train others in the framework. It's built to be self sustaining, so you're not just growing as a leader, you're helping create more leaders.
And I'm guessing that cascaded into other improvements? It did. They saw an uptick in innovation, a reduction in turnover, and most importantly, they created a culture where people genuinely wanted to contribute. This isn't just theory, it's practical and impactful. And it's scalable too, right? Because that's, I think, something leadership programs often miss, how to apply it across different contexts.
It had this amazing ripple effect that not only boosted morale, but also improved retention and innovation across teams. That's incredible, and it ties right back into the idea of sustainability, where the impact keeps growing even after the project is done. Absolutely, and that's by design. Graduates of the program don't just complete their projects.
Exactly, and this is needed now more than ever. The pace of change isn't slowing down, it's accelerating. Organizations and communities need leaders who can inspire trust. And build resilience all while navigating these complexities with grace and integrity. You know, listening to all this, it reminds me of the power of storytelling and leadership.
Like, no matter how different they are, a compelling story can bridge those differences and unite people behind a common goal. Exactly. And when graduates of the program pass on these skills, they're not just storytelling, they're empowering others to create and lead their own stories of change. Cheryl, I have to say, this has been such an eye opening conversation.
On that note, we're wrapping up here. Thanks for tuning in, everyone. And Cheryl, thank you for sharing such valuable insights. Thank you, Eric. And to our listeners, stay curious, stay thoughtful, and keep leading with heart. On that note, we'll see you next time.