Nurturing a Leadership Atmosphere that Spontaneously Fosters Personal Growth and Success
In today's fast-paced world, the traditional industrial-age model of leadership is being challenged. This model, shaped for nearly two centuries, often treats humans as mechanical resources, neglecting their intrinsic growth needs [1]. Instead, a new approach, known as cultivator leadership, is gaining traction. This transformative leadership style reimagines the leader as a cultivator who creates the conditions for natural growth.
Jennifer Kamara, CEO Coach and founder of Kamara Life Design, has outlined the core principles of cultivator leadership. These principles aim to frame leadership as a nurturing process, focusing on creating conditions where people naturally thrive and lead effectively.
- Nourish the Soil: The first principle is about creating a supportive foundation where people can grow. This means fostering an environment that encourages open communication, trust, and psychological safety, as evidenced by Google's landmark Project Aristotle research [2].
- Plant Diversely: The second principle encourages diverse talents and perspectives within the team. Research shows that companies in the top quartile for diversity are more likely to outperform industry medians financially [3]. Diversity not only enhances creativity and innovation but also contributes to financial success.
- Provide Different Microclimates: The third principle involves tailoring environments to meet different needs for optimal growth. Just as different plants thrive in different conditions, people have unique needs and working styles. By understanding and catering to these differences, leaders can foster a more productive and satisfied workforce.
- Prune Purposefully: The fourth principle is about removing what no longer serves to foster healthier development. This could mean eliminating unnecessary tasks or processes, or addressing conflicts within the team. By doing so, leaders can create a more streamlined and focused work environment.
- Trust the Process: The fifth and final principle is about having faith in the natural unfolding of growth and leadership development. This means allowing people to take the lead when they are ready, and providing guidance and support when needed.
This shift towards cultivator leadership is particularly relevant in the rapidly expanding world of knowledge work and creative endeavors. The factory model of leadership, with its focus on standardization and optimization for maximum output, has substantial hidden costs in this context [5]. By adopting a more nurturing approach, leaders can not only improve employee satisfaction and performance but also foster a more innovative and creative workforce.
References:
[1] Kamara, J. (n.d.). Core Principles of Cultivator Leadership. Retrieved from https://kamara lifedesign.com/core-principles-of-cultivator-leadership/
[2] Google. (2015). How Google Sold Its Employees on the Secret to High Performance. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/magazine/what-google-learned-from-its-quest-to-build-the-perfect-team.html
[3] McKinsey & Company. (2020). Diversity wins: How inclusion matters. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters
[4] American Institute of Stress. (n.d.). The Impact of Job Stress. Retrieved from https://www.stress.org/impact-of-job-stress/
[5] MIT Human Dynamics Laboratory. (n.d.). The Science of Teamwork. Retrieved from https://web.media.mit.edu/~mithumdyn/teamwork.html
Read also:
- Foreign financial aid for German citizens residing abroad persists
- "Germany appears less environmentally friendly compared to Texas, according to Harald Lesch's climate documentary"
- Investing 1 billion funds into the police force of North Rhine-Westphalia for battling rodents and mold issues
- Tesla resurrects transferred Full Self-Driving feature amid other promotional offers
