Today we’re talking to Margaret Wheatley, Co-founder and President of The Berkana Institute, an organizational consultant since 1973, a global citizen since her youth and a prolific writer. Meg began caring about the world’s peoples in 1966 as a Peace Corps volunteer in postwar Korea. She received her doctorate in organizational behavior from Harvard University in 1979 just as the field of OD was forming and has been honored for her groundbreaking work by many professional associations, universities, and organizations. She has authored nine books, including the classic leadership and the new science and of my personal favorite, Who Do We Choose To Be? For the past five years, Meg has been training leaders and activists from 35 countries as Warriors for the Human Spirit, an in-depth training program and path of service supported by a robust global community. Her most recent work is a CD, The Warrior Songline, A Journey into Warriorship Guided by Voice and Sound.
In this week’s episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities for leaders in the world right now when their ability to control uncertainty has never been more challenging. Meg helps us understand how leaders can adjust their approaches to have a more positive impact on their people and their workplaces.
Connect with Meg Wheatley:
You’ll Learn:
- [02:55] - Meg describes what the challenges and opportunities are for leaders in the world right now.
- [05:12] - Meg explains why traditional models and thinking about leadership are no longer relevant.
- [07:25] - Meg describes how leaders need to be warriors of the human spirit
- [13:30] - Meg explores why leaders who show care, compassion and appreciation bring out the best in themselves and others
- [19:06] - Meg describes the ‘enlightened leadership’ that is needed in the world right now
- [21:59] - Meg outlines three elements to ‘enlightened leadership’
- [27:25] - Meg describes the importance of context for ‘enlightened leadership’
- [28:41] - Meg explains how leaders can consciously choose to be warriors of the human spirit
- [30:58] - Meg relieves us of the burden of being ‘change-makers’ for other leaders
- [33:55] - Meg introduces us to Islands of Sanity
- [37:20] - Meg enters for the lightning round.
Your Resources:
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Until next time, take care! Thank you, Meg!
Making Positive Psychology Work 