Help
Sign In
authentic leadership
November 2009 
A cliff-hanging perspective on women's leadership - photo essay
Terrill
This is the place where we must gather confidence and conviction of perspective or view, which will sustain us in our decision-making.
The following photo essay is an opportunity for you to come on a journey with me up above la casa de inspiracion – which is situated about half way up from the valley floor. I will take us to the bare-faced cliffs where ravens, eagles and turkey vultures ride the updrafts. Enjoy!
“Women’s way of leading is colourful, defiant and charged with contradictions, complexities and toughness.” I am reminded of this as I clamber up the cliff side until I can climb no further. What is it about your leadership that embodies what is colourful, defiant and charged with contradictions, complexities and toughness?
As I search the horizon line, I must ensure my footing is solid. To fall could mean broken bones. When you are leading how do you establish your position to ensure you can maintain your balance? What are the risks if you lose your footing?
Observe a view that was created when trees were removed years before. What are the some of the patterns of contradictions and complexities you must navigate in order to lead?
On the cliff wall nature's nosegay and rock garden catch my attention. How often have you been focused on the horizon at the risk of missing something beautiful and unexpected right in front of you?
“It is a way of leading that demands a holistic and integrated concept for leadership: leadership that is characterized and defined by collaboration, appreciation, abundance, authenticity and high levels of accountability.”
The relation between rocks, shrubs and small amounts of humus gives rise to my great love for earth and our responsibility to notice, care and remember that we are a small part of a greater whole. What holistic integrated concepts are defining your leadership?
“It is a way of leading that benefits from emphasizing the contextual environment – which is influenced and shaped by both human will and imagination.” The turkey vulture soars overhead as I remember that the cliff has “become” because the ocean’s floor was slammed upward into the heavens. What is the historic contextual environment in which you lead?
“Living purposefully with our ethical and principled assumptions is an exciting, rigorous and fulfilling way to lead with authentic accountability.” It is for this goal that I searched – and yet I gained so much more along the way. What is your vision? In this moment what are you searching for?
“I am going to grab our hearts, and rigorously bring our backbones into alignment!” Leading is to live fully, with vigor and in the moment while riding the updrafts and searching the horizon for what is next. What acts of leadership will you be accountable for today?
Note: quotes are from the first paragraph in chapter one of Leading Raspberry Jam Visions: Women’s Way.
Warmly,
Terrill Welch
Executive Leadership Coach
Terrill Welch - A Woman behind Women
http://www.awomanbehindwomen.ca
Mayne Island B.C. 1-250-539-5877
email: tawelch@shaw.ca
© 2008 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
You are welcome to use and share material from this Blog in whole or in part,as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. Please also notify me where the material will appear.
The attribution should read:
"By Terrill Welch of Terrill Welch – A Woman behind Women. Terrill Welch is an Executive Coach, providing coaching services designed specifically for women leaders. To learn more, feel free to browse through the http://www.awomanbehindwomen.ca/ and http://terrill.gaia.com// websites."
Access: Public
