Evolving Leaders and Fulfilling Human Potential

More than 80% of us are disengaged in our work.  Feeling limited, trapped and disconnected from the value, meaning and difference we make in the world. This is because the focus of most companies is profit without the purpose. That’s not okay because our human potential is going to waste instead of being fulfilled and productive in serving our communities.  Rather than waking up feeling it’s great to be alive, many would rather hide under the duvet with dread and hit snooze.  We are missing out on what it means to be human and not daring to live the life we want.  There is more to life than this.  You have so much more to give.  You deserve to shine and be valued as the person you were born to be!

My mission is to develop what I call ‘Evolving Leaders’.  Our expectations of leaders are changing.  Where the traditional purpose of business was profit for shareholders, the emerging shift is for leaders to envisage, and deliver, profit with purpose.  This requires courageous souls to venture into uncharted territory, with the self confidence, clarity, and calmness to deliver successful missions.  Evolving Leaders create bold visions, missions to make them happen and know they need to be the difference they wish to see in the world.  They intentionally develop the resilience and skills to bring the hearts and minds of the world and workforce with them, into a new culture of business.

I believe that when leaders value their true self, they can truly nurture others and the planet.  You deserve to be true to you in work, speaking up and still belonging.  We, the community, are incomplete without you doing this.  Learning to nurture yourself to the highest potential will transform business to truly serve humankind usefully.  After all, if you don’t know how to make yourself happy and successful, is there any possibility of you making the world a happy place to live and work?  Learning to manage your personal culture is how executives and team leaders can shift industry culture, and inclusively and collaboratively find innovative solutions that reflect the unique realities present in the world today.

To evolve means to develop gradually.  Overnight success is a media image that sells, and that gets in the way of so many talented people doing the growth work to fulfil their human potential.  Evolving is a way of being, a process, a focus of commitment to develop alignment between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to achieve success.  Evolving Leaders take measured risk and an experimental approach to quickly iterate and innovate with stability and security.  They take care to make well informed choices and be responsible in their own lives and for others around them.  Rather than chase employee satisfaction, they create a culture of high employee development, starting with themselves.

Leaders define what success looks like for them and their organisations.  The word leader comes from the Old English 'lædan' meaning ‘to go before as a guide’.  The question is what kind of world do you want to guide others to create?  Developing that vision takes knowing yourself deeply, your unique life story, strengths, experience and interests.  Evolving Leaders get to know themselves well enough to know what impact or difference they want to create, what will bring a sense of ease, joy and fulfilment, and how to do it given their life responsibilities.  They intentionally move beyond their limits, learning to value their Self enough to step into infinite potential and use all of their being in work.

Profit is largely driven by physical resources and logic.  Purpose is more driven by emotion and instinct.  Evolving Leaders use all four intelligences in balance, knowing that they support each other and are equally valuable to use as appropriate.  That requires expansion of your emotional range and resilience, so that you can attune to your values, the clients you serve, communities you impact, and your team or employees.  It enables you to remove resistance that reduces productivity and increases stress, and to manage your own culture to feel free to be fully expressed.  

Evolving Leaders are people who want to make a difference, be intentional in making a meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of best practice for future generations to follow.  They draw from their personal experiences, strengths and unique stories to choose their purpose and create missions to make their vision happen.  Rather than focussing on employee satisfaction, they encourage a culture of high personal development to align everyone with the mission.  They know that they, and their teams have unique stories and experiences that can be leveraged for competitive advantage.  They are accepting of themselves and others, recognising the importance of a nurturing, inclusive environment that gives a sense of belonging.

Western media culture propels the stories of entrepreneurial leaders who rocketed to success, riches and fame as if without trying.  It’s names like Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon), Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook), and Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX and Tesla) who are household names.  This is an image of leaders taking high risks that could affect the job security of their employees, who are challenged by the public and government over their ethics and environmental impact, and yet are revered for the money they have made.  In a social world, are these kinds of visions and behaviours what leaders today still want to follow and copy?  Or are leaders ready to serve beyond self, and care about others equally?

I believe it’s time to change to a new image.  An inclusive, fair and ethical image of responsible leaders.  It’s time to shine a light on the real champions of this world.  The ones who have values, visions and personal missions.  The ones who believe in making a positive impact on our communities and planet through big and small actions, in their entire way of being.  The kind who really want to make a difference, do something meaningful, and live a stable life while doing it.  The kind who are ready to step up to their human potential and freely express what’s within them.  Those called to take the road less travelled and guide others to follow.

Changing the world, one step at a time, together.

Role Models like my clients…

“Holly taught me how to find a career that matches my values and what’s important to me.  I’m now an environmental lawyer which makes me happy and is really rewarding.”

—Helen M. (UK)

“In just a few weeks, I now have a clear understanding of what I want to do and most importantly why!  I gained clarity and felt closer to my goals with each session.”

— Lindsey J. (UK)

“Holly reminded me that I do know what I need and I do have a purpose and path.  I learned to trust myself completely!”

—Sandra W. (USA)

If you’re ready to evolve from paycheck to purpose, join an amazing group on the next Evolving Purpose Programme.  Change your life and those you serve, because you know you’re being called to become an evolving leader.