Reimagining Leadership: Lessons for Building Human-Centred Organisations
In today’s fast-paced, complex world, traditional leadership models no longer serve us. To lead effectively, we must reimagine what leadership means.
Leadership is more than a position or title—it’s a deeply human journey of growth, transformation, and connection. It is not just about authority, strategy or execution, it is also about how we show up, build trust, inspire action and create spaces where individuals and organisations can thrive.
In this three-part blog series, Reimagining Leadership – Lessons for Building Human-Centred Organisations, we explore a more adaptive, human-centred approach to leadership. Inspired by one of our teachers—Amy Elizabeth Fox, CEO of Mobius Executive Leadership - —this series invites leaders to rethink how they lead by cultivating presence, balancing structure and emergence, and prioritising reflection.
Leaders as Alchemists
Amy offers us a bold new vision of leaders as alchemists—people who shape the energy and environment of their teams and organisations and cultivate conditions where growth, connection, and creativity flourish.
This alchemy happens not through authority alone but through presence—the ability to be fully engaged, attuned, and intentional in our interactions. But presence isn’t automatic; it takes intentional self-work.
So how can we cultivate the presence being called for? As Amy reminds us, “Our ability to lead others begins with our willingness to lead ourselves.”
1. Being Fully Engaged: Showing Up With Your Whole Self
Engaged leaders bring their full attention and energy to the present moment. They listen actively, resist distractions, and demonstrate genuine care for the people around them. Engagement fosters deeper trust, making people feel valued and heard.
How to embody full engagement:
- Eliminate distractions: When speaking with someone, put away your phone, close your laptop, and offer your undivided attention.
- Practice deep listening: Focus on understanding rather than formulating a response while the other person is talking.
- Check in with yourself: Before entering a conversation or meeting, take a breath and ask, “Am I fully here?”
2. Being Attuned: Connecting to Self and Others
Attuned leaders are not only aware of what is being said but also of what is left unsaid. They notice body language, shifts in energy, and unspoken concerns. Attunement begins with self-awareness—understanding one's own emotions, triggers, and mental state—before extending outward to others. Leaders who attune to themselves can show up more empathetically and responsively in their interactions.
How to develop attunement to self and others:
- Observe your inner state: Regularly check in with yourself by asking, “How am I feeling right now?” and “What might be influencing my emotions?”
- Regulate your energy: If you feel scattered or reactive, take a moment to ground yourself before engaging with others.
- Notice before reacting: Observe the emotional tone in the room and the body language of others before responding.
- Ask open-ended questions: Instead of assuming you understand, invite deeper sharing by asking, “How are you really feeling about this?”
- Cultivate emotional intelligence: Reflect on how your presence affects others and adjust accordingly.
3. Being Intentional: Leading with Purpose and Clarity
Intentional leaders don’t act on autopilot. They approach interactions with a clear sense of purpose, aligning their words and actions with their values. This fosters trust and clarity, ensuring that their leadership has a meaningful and positive impact.
How to lead with intention:
- Set an intention before key interactions: Before a meeting or conversation, ask yourself, “What do I want to contribute to this space?”
- Align actions with values: Ensure that your decisions reflect the principles you stand for.
- Slow down: Pause before responding to ensure your words and actions are thoughtful and aligned with your leadership vision.
Reimagining Leadership Through Presence
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about cultivating environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to bring their best selves forward.
By practicing full engagement, attunement, and intentionality, leaders become alchemists, transforming their teams and organisations from the inside out.
Reflection Questions:
- How present am I in my daily leadership interactions?
- In what ways can I become more attuned to the needs and emotions of those around me?
- What intentions do I want to set for my leadership moving forward?
Join us in our next blogs where we’ll explore how leaders can balance structure and emergence – creating both stability and space for innovation.
Photos by Acton Crawford and Allec Gomes on Unsplash
