A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the

Age of the Quick Fix

A presentation byPeggy Treadwell, LICSW

AISGW Conference

October 23, 2009

A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the

Age of the Quick Fix

A presentation byPeggy Treadwell, LICSW

AISGW Conference

October 23, 2009

CHANGECHANGE

Accelerated ChangeAccelerated Change

rate

time today

Reinventing LeadershipReinventing Leadership

The integrity of

the self

while staying connected

to others

The integrity of

the self

while staying connected

to others

“The power of a leader resides in their presence -

in the nature of their being.”

“The power of a leader resides in their presence -

in the nature of their being.”

Leadership is about managing oneself,

not managing others.

Leadership is about managing oneself,

not managing others.

TimelineTimeline

Earth’s formation

Arrival Prokaryotes

Arrival Eukaryotes

Diversification of the species

First life forms on earth - Prokaryotes

First life forms on earth - Prokaryotes

self-reproducing no consciousness no ability to join other life forms

self-reproducing no consciousness no ability to join other life forms

Eukaryotes - more complex leading to our own species:Eukaryotes - more complex leading to our own species:

join for reproduction tackle new duties conscious of self and others can merge in fusion to lose self

join for reproduction tackle new duties conscious of self and others can merge in fusion to lose self

The tension between wanting to be an individual and wanting to join together is a natural part of

our species as a living thing.

The tension between wanting to be an individual and wanting to join together is a natural part of

our species as a living thing.

It’s in our biology

to want to be distinct and differentiated!

It’s part of our biology

to want to belong and work/be together!

This tension between togetherness and distinctness is

the cause of a natural biologically based

ANXIETY

This tension between togetherness and distinctness is

the cause of a natural biologically based

ANXIETY

The major relationship problem is

Preserving “self” in a close relationship

Getting relief from relationship anxietyGetting relief from relationship anxiety

Triangles Distancing Conflict Over/under functioning Cut-off

Triangles Distancing Conflict Over/under functioning Cut-off

The well-differentiated leaderThe well-differentiated leader

Self-differentiated leader has:Self-differentiated leader has:

Clarity Self-definition Connection Humor Willingness to work on oneself Persistence and stamina despite sabotage

Clarity Self-definition Connection Humor Willingness to work on oneself Persistence and stamina despite sabotage

SabotageSabotage

Natural when there is progress Surprise Planned

Takes form of Herding Blame displacement Quick fixes

Natural when there is progress Surprise Planned

Takes form of Herding Blame displacement Quick fixes

Triangles create stressTriangles create stress

Chronically anxious society affected by the rate of change

Chronically anxious society affected by the rate of change

Examples Micro managing Hyper vigilant Data driven Relying on experts rather than common sense Fear based decisions Rebel when leader takes a stand

Examples Micro managing Hyper vigilant Data driven Relying on experts rather than common sense Fear based decisions Rebel when leader takes a stand