I'm thrilled to reconnect with you through this blog post. After a busy month of travel, I'm excited to dive back into discussions about leadership and growth from the perspective of vertical development. Today, I want to explore a crucial topic for those transitioning from Stage 4 Self-Determining to Stage 4/5 Self-Questioning: redefining success.
As a certified leadership maturity coach, I’ve dedicated myself to helping leaders navigate the stages of vertical development. Unlike horizontal growth, which focuses on acquiring new skills, vertical development involves fundamentally transforming your worldview and sense of self. This journey can be incredibly rewarding but often lacks sufficient support in our modern society once we leave formal education.
The Conventional View of Success
In a conventional leadership context, success is often defined by external achievements: climbing the corporate ladder, earning higher salaries, and gaining recognition. This perspective emphasizes tangible results and external validation. It’s a system that rewards those who make things happen, providing titles and promotions as markers of success.
This approach has its merits. Effective leaders who achieve results are essential for building successful companies. However, there are limitations. When success is tied solely to external validation, it leads to constant comparison and never-ending dissatisfaction. There's always someone with a better title, a higher salary, or more recognition.
The Limitations of Conventional Success
Focusing exclusively on external achievements can neglect the deeper aspects of what it means to be human. It overlooks our interior lives, our longings for fulfillment, meaningful relationships, and contributing to work that uplifts humanity. True satisfaction and fulfillment come from aligning our passions and capabilities with the needs around us.
A Next-Level Understanding of Success
Post-conventional leaders redefine success in a more holistic way. Success becomes about doing work that aligns your greatest passions and capabilities with the greatest needs around you. It involves joining with others, synergizing strengths, and making meaningful contributions to the world.
This deeper understanding of success allows you to experience the fullness of being human and contribute to something larger than yourself. It shifts the focus from personal gain to collective impact, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends traditional measures of success.
Reflect and Transform
As you transition into post-conventional stages of leadership, take a moment to reflect on your definition of success. Are you suffering from a narrow view tied to titles and recognition? Consider expanding your perspective to include your deepest passions and the impact you want to make in the world.
True success is about giving your greatest skills and talents towards meeting real needs. This shift not only enhances your personal fulfillment but also creates a positive ripple effect in your organization and beyond.
Thank you for joining me in this exploration of success. Embrace this new perspective and see how it transforms your leadership journey.
Take a look at my brief webinar now to uncover the blueprint for leading your organization authentically and holistically.
Work with me!
I am certified as a Leadership Maturity Coach by Beena Sharma and Susanne Cooke-Greuter of the Vertical Development Academy and a Certified Unique Self Coach by Claire Molinard of the Unique Self Institute. If you're interested in learning how I can coach you through your vertical development, please reach out to me at David@evolutionaryemergencecoaching.com. You can also find more at www.verticaldevelopment.com.
Watch my video that Inspired this AI-assisted Blog Post:
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