Authentic Leadership

Authentic Leadership develops Parker Palmer’s work for community college faculty and applies it to community college faculty, presidents, and administrators. Harvard authors Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal write, “Perhaps we lost our way when we forgot that the heart of leadership lies in the hearts of leaders. We fooled ourselves, thinking that sheer bravado or sophisticated analytic techniques could respond to our deepest concerns. We lost touch with a most precious gift: our spirit.” Authentic Leadership retreats incorporate reflective dialogue and conversation to regain a sense of spirit, of inner guidance, and authentic voice to assist in generating even more creative and vital institutions.

The sharing of poetry, stories, art, or song, as well as engaging in reflective conversation and collective inquiry are the methods used for exploring authentic leadership. Individuals, in community, are encouraged to tell a story around a theme and then to see their own and others’ gifts. Learning to ask open and honest questions helps workshop participants go deeper toward their own inner guidance and gives an alternative to advice giving and pointing the way for others.

Authentic Leadership experiences can range in length from simply exploring the concept for an hour or two up to a retreat lasting three days in length.

To have an Authentic Leadership workshop delivered on your campus, contact Ed Leach.