As leaders we know it’s our job to help people develop and release their potential. When it comes to skills and tasks, we generally do okay at helping them to ‘do better’.
But what about truly releasing our collective inner power by building a culture of openness, transparency and confidence by sharing more behavioural feedback and/or dealing with conflicts that may be ‘in the air’ but not attended to.
Many people say, when reflecting on this, that they fear personal conflict, they don’t have the confidence to handle behavioural feedback well, or they are concerned they will make it worse.
Any conflict or tension in the system is draining energy. Allowing someone to continue behaving in a way that is disrespectful to their potential and/or damaging to others, drains energy and can leave legacy issues.
We can speak out eloquently about the negative impacts of war in our world and yet we have mini ‘wars’ going on all the time in organisations and relationships, where there is unresolved tension or important feedback not given. And these can eventually add up to a toxic culture bubbling beneath the surface.
Releasing our inner power means firstly, as leaders, finding our courage and developing the skills to hold the mirror up in a supportive yet clear and open way. And then expecting and inviting this in return.
Peace isn’t a static harmony – it comes through conscious engagement with any underlying ‘conflicts’ and seeking ways to resolve them and release higher potential. Today is World Peace day (21st September) – maybe time to redouble our efforts on every level.