From Artifacts to Action: A New Leadership Paradigm | Sean Stewart | 583

In this engaging episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Bill Sherman converses with Sean Stewart, an executive coach, keynote speaker, and historical leadership expert at Past Forward Talks. Sean's journey from maritime historian and archaeologist to thought leadership is both fascinating and insightful, providing a fresh perspective on how objects can help us gain clarity and insight into our problems and leadership challenges.

Sean recounts how his background in maritime history and archaeology led him to realize the profound impact that objects can have on people. He noticed that individuals often become overly focused on their internal struggles, losing perspective. Objects, he found, can help externalize these problems, allowing people to step outside their heads and view their issues more objectively. This shift in perspective is crucial for effective problem-solving and leadership.

Delving into the art of interpretation, Sean explains that as a historian or archaeologist, one seeks meaning in objects by placing them within a historical context. He has adapted this skill to the modern world, using objects to help leaders and teams connect with their stories and challenges. For instance, he describes using an ancient sculpture of a small stylized horse to illustrate how simple, straightforward objects can serve as powerful reminders of lessons learned and goals set, helping people avoid getting lost in their thoughts during difficult times.

A turning point in Sean's career was a visit to a 5th-century Byzantine church, where he encountered a broken mosaic of a laurel wreath—a symbol of victory. This experience led him to question what true victory means in the context of conflicts and disagreements. He realized that many battles are fought for the sake of fighting, rather than for meaningful outcomes. This insight became the foundation of his coaching method, which encourages leaders to focus on their overarching goals rather than petty disputes.

To get his message out, Sean emphasizes the importance of starting small and simple. He suggests giving brief presentations to large audiences, using a single object to illustrate his points. This approach not only captures attention but also makes complex ideas more accessible and relatable.

Sean is currently working on a book that explores leadership through objects, showing the merits and opportunities of this approach. The book begins by laying a foundation of ethics and morality, which Sean believes are essential for effective leadership. It then moves on to practical techniques for using objects to tell stories and reinforce lessons.

For those interested in incorporating objects into their work, Sean offers practical advice: start by selecting four random, unconnected objects and creating a story about life in the early 2000s. This exercise trains the mind to see connections between objects and the people who interact with them, developing a keen sense of interpretation and storytelling. By repeating this exercise with different objects and themes, one can quickly master this technique.

Join us for this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage to gain actionable insights and innovative approaches to leadership from Sean Stewart.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Externalizing Problems through Objects: Sean Stewart emphasizes the power of using objects to help individuals externalize their problems. By focusing on an object, people can gain a fresh perspective, allowing them to step outside their heads and view their issues more objectively.

• Historical Interpretation for Modern Leadership: Drawing from his background as a historian and archaeologist, Sean demonstrates how interpreting objects within their historical context can offer valuable insights for modern leadership. This method helps leaders connect with their stories and challenges, providing clarity and direction.

• Practical Techniques for Leadership Development: Sean's innovative approach includes practical exercises, such as creating stories with random objects to develop interpretation and storytelling skills. His upcoming book will further explore leadership through objects, emphasizing the importance of ethics and morality, and providing techniques for using objects to reinforce leadership lessons.

Sean presents a unique and interesting approach to leadership, if you are wondering if your leadership is as interesting take a moment to read this article by Peter Winick.