The Power of Flourishing

In the vast realm of leadership, there is a spectrum. On one end, there's the solid leader – reliable, consistent, and effective. On the other, lies the stellar leader – the one who doesn't just lead, but thrives, flourishes, and elevates everyone in their path. Marshall Goldsmith, Jacquelyn Lane, and I have poured our collective passion for executive coaching into our latest book, Becoming Coachable, to help you traverse this spectrum.

Every leader harbors the potential for greatness. But that leap from good to exceptional doesn't just happen. It's a result of a relentless pursuit of growth and self-awareness, often realized through executive coaching. One revelation we share is the idea of the 'Flourishing' leader. Unlike those who achieve just for themselves, a Flourishing leader aims for the greater good, thinking beyond personal gains.

Flourishing leadership underscores collective growth and collaboration in organizations. It's more than direction; it's about imparting value. Such organizations shine with engaged employees, innovation, and productivity. Central to this approach is employee empowerment, ensuring a sense of belonging and helping them realize their potential. Flourishing executives, leading by example, foster inclusive decision-making and invite diverse inputs. They emphasize collaboration over dictation, allowing employees to self-manage and innovate. Instead of a "me" centric approach, Flourishing is about "we," highlighting the collective journey to success and the shared aspiration for excellence. It redefines leadership, putting community and collaboration at the core.

Think of it this way: A stone thrown in a pond creates ripples. Similarly, when a leader chooses the path of Flourishing, the positive impacts ripple out, touching colleagues, teams, communities, and even entire industries. It’s about moving from being a solitary boat to becoming the very tide that lifts all boats.

Coaching challenges leaders to grow in extraordinary ways. Bring in the right coach and cultivate the right environment, and a leader will find the power to begin a meaningful journey of discovery that is applicable to all facets of life. With the proper commitment and implementation, they may embrace change—and results—they never knew possible. 

One of those results may be a new lens through which to view the power of one's own leadership. Once a leader realizes that Flourishing is an option and creates very real, powerful, and long-lasting change—not only for themselves, but for their community, their teams, their world—they have a choice: To honor and embrace Flourishing, or to let it pass by in a fleeting moment.

It’s worth noting that we don’t fault those who don’t choose to embrace Flourishing. It’s rewarding, yes, but it’s not for the faint of heart—and sometimes circumstances, personal or otherwise, don’t allow for that growth. But for those who do embrace Flourishing and act upon it time and time again, that’s where the true magic happens. 

If you're questioning the tangible effects of this transformation, consider the boats in the harbor. Some are floating, others resting on the mud on the bottom. Looking at them at any moment, you will not notice them rise off the bottom. But twice a day, every day, the change becomes undeniable as the tides draw water into the harbor and lift the boats that begin to then swing on their moorings. Similarly, a leader under the right guidance of coaching becomes an unstoppable force of change.

I invite you to dive into our book and explore the depths of your leadership potential. Remember, every change starts with a single ripple. Why not let that ripple start with you?

With love, gratitude, and wonder,

Scott

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We discuss Flourishing at length in our new book, Becoming Coachable, available now for preorder on Amazon.

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