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Dear Reader,
Happy New Year to you!
My colleagues and I on the faculty of the new Institute for Transformational Leadership at Georgetown continue to ponder the questions: what kind of leadership is needed in the 21st century and how do we develop these capacities? The unprecedented challenges and opportunities of our times -- such as globalization and its complex economic and resource challenges, technologies that link us and offer new ways of connecting, the increasing role of women in governance, the national tendency to polarize around issues rather than come together as communities of shared concern -- call for the development of leaders who are storytellers, conveners and visionaries, among other things. We need leaders who are adaptive and effective with different audiences and stakeholder groups. Leaders who can harness the benefits of virtual connection while choosing the right moments for live connection and presence. Today's most effective leaders are developing a depth and breadth of skills that they can apply as needed to meet circumstances and goals. The old "top down" hierarchical approach is no longer a match for the pace and expectations of today in most organizations. So....what are the alternatives? To kick off 2013, we've decided to take a focused look at a leadership model that is both leading edge and ancient: circle leadership. Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life will host guests who are skilled at using the power of convening a circle to tap into the wisdom of the group and achieve desired outcomes. Circle leadership has been used and developed by indigenous people around the world for thousands of year; yet today, many innovative organizations and leaders are practicing its principles with outstanding results. We'll start this series with guest Kay Sandberg, founder of Global Force for Healing, a new organization born in 2012 which operates from the principle that love is a primary force for healing, transformation and sustainability. Please don't miss a fascinating conversation with Kay next Monday, January 7, as we explore the power of love as a force for social justice -- and how the circle leadership methodology informs their approach. Best wishes,
Kate Ebner CEO Nebo Company |
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Monday, January 7, 2013 11 AM Eastern Time On VoiceAmerica Business
Listen on Monday.
Love as a Global Force for Healing
with Visionary Kay Sandberg
 What would the world be like if we let love guide our actions, commitments and relationships? Join Host Kate Ebner and her guest, Kay Sandberg, founder of the Global Force for Healing, to learn how this organization is aligning its mission with high impact international projects that will demonstrate that love is a primary force for transformation, healing and sustainability. Kay's wisdom and vision about how to create a positive impact for women, children, and grassroots communities will inspire and enlighten you. Kay will address important distinctions regarding leadership, collaboration, partnership and how to convene diverse stakeholders for positive results. This program is the first in a month-long series dedicated to the principles of circle leadership.
Be inspired. Become inspiring. Missed the Live Show?
Past Episodes are available on demand and podcast-ready via iTunes or RSS feed.
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Mondays 11 AM Eastern Time On VoiceAmerica Business
Listen on Mondays. Circle Leadership series guests on Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life Be inspired. Become inspiring. Missed the Live Show?
Past Episodes are available on demand and podcast-ready via iTunes or RSS feed.
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What is Circle Leadership?
"The circle is a feminine shape; a feminine sound. It is a protected and consecrated space, a space where all things and all people are equal. The circle is at the very root of equality. It is the symbol for equality. The circle is at the root to true humility where each is seen as important to the whole and none more important than any other."
-- Scout Cloud Lee, Ed.D. The Circle is Sacred
 The circle has forever been an organizing principle for human beings. From the mythological Round Table of King Arthur to fire circles to quilting circles to dialogue circles to the morning circle of a Montessori classroom, we have taken our seats in the round since the beginning of civilization. A circle can provide just the right environment for honest and respectful discussion. Frequently, the circle gathering yields far more productivity than a typical meeting led by one person, agenda in hand. Yet for a circle to work well and productively, participants must share a common understanding of its structure and how to participate.
What are the governing principles of a circle? We'll explore this during the month of January with guests on the radio show, but to get started, here are some concepts to help you consider the potential of circle leadership in your own life and work. We've turned to well-known writer, professor and Jungian scholar Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., author of The Millionth Circle, and a leader in women's circle process for perspective:
Circle Principles
- Create sacred space. This includes physically preparing a space to accommodate the participants in a circle, usually with a centerpiece or altar.
- Listen with compassion and for wisdom. This includes listening without an agenda, suspending judgment, being curious and finding the underlying meaning in others' statements. Also, it is listening for wisdom as it comes through each participant
- Speak from your heart and experience. Speak one at a time. This includes saying what is true for you and speaking to the center of the circle, not to another individual. We offer our experience and feelings to the circle, not our advice. Also, we speak one at a time and invoke a talking piece when needed, to ensure that all are heard.
- Invite silence and reflection when needed, in you and in the circle. This includes listening to our own inner guidance before speaking. Also, we request silence and reflection in the circle when we feel it is needed.
- Take responsibility for your experience and your impact on the circle. This includes demonstrating self-respect and self-restraint. We self-monitor to ensure that our needs and expectations are being met. We ensure our contribution adds to the positive experience of all in the circle.
- Keep the confidence of the circle. This refers to our confidentiality agreements. What is spoken in the circle, stays in the circle to help ensure a safe environment for sharing our experiences and feelings.
- Make decisions, when needed, by consensus. This refers to our decision making process. Should a circle need to make a decision, it is generally desirable to come to a consensus. These guidelines can be used as a starting point for group agreements in any circle, knowing that each group will add or delete as they see fit.
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She Leads registration to open soon
She Leads web course touches on critical development themes for professional women
 The online learning series She Leads will kick off in March 2013 with the first in a series of four web courses designed to help professional women connect with essential knowledge that can help them to thrive professionally and personally. She Leads, led by Nancy Lamberton, will offer women the chance to access the wisdom and "nuggets" developed at Nebo through years of research and focused work on women's leadership. The program will tackle subjects such as how to integrate work and life successfully, how to strengthen your authentic presence and how to build relationships that make a difference for your career. She Leads offers two Master Leadership Courses that provide the foundation for enhancing your leadership capacity and helping you create the fulfilling work and life that you want. In addition, participants can choose to deepen their knowledge in one of four Leadership Skills Courses on a variety of key topics. Find out more about She Leads on our website, including information about registering through our new online store, launching later this month. In the meantime, please direct any inquiries about the program to SheLeads@nebocompany.com.
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Create Your Vision!
We have designed a quick and easy visioning exercise just for you! You will receive your own personal vision statement immediately upon hitting "submit." To create your vision statement, CLICK HERE.
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Missed the last show?
 It's not too late! Find out how you can set meaningful, attainable intentions for the New Year here.
Be inspired.
Become inspiring.
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Recommended Resources
by: Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen
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