Leadership is a process, an intimate expression of who we are. It is our whole person in action – Kevin Cashman

Purpose of the FLA journey   

Principle-based leadership simplifies and grounds the multifaceted concept of leadership in the range of principles that guide leaders’ thinking, behaviours and approaches to the task of leading. It stems from the belief that leaders grow their effectiveness and influence by internalising key principles. Awareness of the principles and the lack of their practical application in the various situations that require leadership, challenge the leader’s commitment to further development. It can be described as an inside-out leadership. It engages the leader’s belief and value system as opposed to merely teaches theory, models and tactical approaches.

Three areas are equally important in the development of a leader:

• What the leader models in his/her person (leading self)
• The direction the leader is able to give (leading change)
• The level of engagement and commitment the leader is able to get from others (leading others)

The purpose of the development journey is to give participants insight into the principles that  leadership is built on and help them engage with the various themes through the introduction of theories, models and ideas, as well as facilitated reflection.

Leading self – principles (11)

The leadership ‘table of influence’ rests on three legs: Leading self, leading change and leading others. First and foremost the leader grows his leadership by learning to lead himself well. No-one will dispute the importance of the leader’s example in getting the support of others. Much of the good work that some leaders do through their natural abilities and skills, get undone by a poor example of character and personal behaviour. The leading self principles give answer to followers’ question: what will you model to me?

Leadership change – principles (8)

To lead is to take the first step into the unknown. It is to make new paths with a desired destination in mind. Leading the change towards something better implies giving direction. There are important principles to build one’s strategic leadership. They are of a systemic nature and requires holistic thinking. The leading change principles answers to followers’  question: what is our destination and how will we get there?

Leading others – principles (13)

In leadership it is not about the efforts of an individual but the success of the team. If a leader fails in obtaining the voluntary support of others and mobilising them, he will only be a leader in name. Many important principles need to be respected and guide the leader in his efforts to effectively engage others and influence them. Followers only give their full support if the leader can explain end demonstrate how he will engage every member of the team.