The Journey Explained

 

 

 

The Outer Journey

 

The first stages of the journey provide a route to Leadership Capability

 

The Call to Adventure  ·  Resisting the Call

 Meeting with the Mentor · Crossing the Threshold

The Watering Hole  ·  Contests and Battles

 

 

The Inner Journey

 

The latter stages of the journey outline the path to Leadership Mastery.

 

Approach to the Inmost Cave · Seizing the Sword

Return with the Elixir

       

Character Archetypes

 

Understanding the critical role of character archetypes enables you to navigate the journey with confidence

 

The Hero  ·  The Herald  ·  The Mentor

The Shapeshifter ·  The Threshold Guardian

The Shadow  ·  The Jester 

 

 

Why The Leader's Journey?

 

Latest research shows that outstanding leaders of recent years have made a significant shift towards a more collaborative style of leadership. This inclusive style requires, as never before, a complex medley of advanced leadership attributes which can only fully be realised through real and challenging opportunities to lead.

 

Each leadership opportunity contains the potential for mastery of these essential qualities provided the journey is well travelled.

 

The Leaders Journey™provides the framework within which you can navigate your leadership journeys with confidence and insight.

 

This unique approach is based on original research into the nature of leadership as symbolised in film, drama and mythic story narrative, combined with wisdom and insight gained from our exclusive interviews with successful business leaders.

 

Our clients also find our programmes entertaining and memorable.

 

A Two-tiered Approach

 

The outer journey provides the skills and knowledge required for you and your team to perform effectively.

 

The inner journey provides the necessary depth of learning that allows you to gain a profound and lasting insight into your individual leadership style. It enables you to get to the source of any de-railers and to build the confidence and stature necessary to achieve sustainable leadership mastery.

 

 

Stages of the Journey

 

 

Call to Adventure

 

This is about getting yourself into shape such that you can hear the call when it beckons.

 

The call could be to take on any project or accountability that requires leadership acumen.

 

 

Resisting the Call

 

A paradox – a reluctant leader may make a better leader in the long run. Understanding the different types of leadership reluctance gives insight into your individual leadership personality. It is also important to recognise reluctance in others and help them to address it.

 

Sustainable Drivers – what drives your decision to take on a leadership challenge? Are these drivers sustainable?

 

Commitment – How to make a powerful and sustainable commitment. What is the cost of refusing?  When is it wise to refuse?

  

 

Meeting with the Mentor

 

The role of the Mentor is the best know yet least understood of all the characters. This stage is about finding the perfect support for your journey, gathering what you will need, building your stamina and honing your skills.

 

At the end of this stage you will be fit and ready to commit (or decline) the leadership challenge.

  

 

Crossing the Threshold

 

This is about defining yourself as a leader, deciding what type of leader you need to be in the current situation, and creating a clear vision and purpose in line with the new challenge.  

 

The Currency of Leadership - What are you going to trade on as a leader? Why would people choose to follow you? How can you increase your stature  as a leader?

 

 

The Watering Hole

 

This is about establishing your allies and building a high performance team.

 

It’s also about formulating your strategy and agreeing plans for action.

  

 

Contests and Battles

 

You are in action and getting result, winning (and losing) battles.

 

Conflict – Four levels of conflict how to deal with each.

 

Antagonistic forces – Recognise different types of antagonistic forces. Know when and how to absorb their energy and how to deal decisively with genuinely destructive forces.

 

Set Backs– Recover from set backs quickly, responsibly and completely.

  

 

Approach to the Inmost Cave

 

This is about being willing to confront your inner demons and gain a high degree of self awareness.

 

It’s about reflection, self searching and personal growth.

 

 

Seizing the Sword

 

This is about raising the bar and achieving outstanding results without struggle.

 

You stop tolerating mediocrity and demand much of yourself and others. 

 

You instinctively know when to trust your intuition, and you experience a high degree of self confidence, flexibility and creativity. 

 

 

Return with the Elixir

 

This is about staying power, re-generation and continuous learning.

 

It is also about avoiding the ‘Wrath of Nemesis’, giving others the credit and creating a real sense of legacy and contribution for the community you serve. 

 

 

ă 2005    Oberon Consultants