VERTICAL GROWTH, GESTALT AND LIVING SYSTEMS
"A leader is a living system within living systems, shaped by the same laws of complexity, disruption, and emergence that govern all of nature. In Humans the body recognises quiet signals first, and gestalting them and their meaning inform wise decisions."
Most leadership development focuses on adding skills and knowledge—what we call horizontal growth.
I work with how you think, see, feel, lead and grow - deeply. With expanded understanding and perception plus deep roots as those of a tree you stand strong in the unpredicted. This shifts not just what you do, but who you are as a leader.
This is not a programme. It's a becoming.
Expert/specialist => Achiever => Catalyst/Redefining => Synergist/Transforming
Imagine two leaders facing the same complex challenge. One sees it as a problem to solve through better tactics. The other sees it as part of a larger system requiring transformation, not just optimization.
The difference isn't knowledge. It's developmental stage.
Research shows that only 8-10 % of leaders operate at the stage needed for today's complexity - what we call Synergist/Strategist. These leaders:
- See systems, not just parts
- Stay grounded in uncertainty
- Lead transformation, not just change
- Access wisdom, not just intelligence
- Balance multiple stakeholder needs with inner clarity.
You can develop this capacity. That's what deep vertical development does.
Deep Vertical Growth and transformation
Young Leaders and Managers have already grown to at least become Specialists/Experts. They focus on details, want to improve things, their knowledge is important, they often feel "not good enough" are perfectionistic and have "too little time". They develop their capabilities, and quality of work. The Specialist /Expert Leader or Manager easily focus on what went wrong, find it hard to encourage others and easily go into micromanagement mode.
Many Leaders and Managers reached the Achievist/Achiever stage and focus on results and targets. For them time is money and time is scarce. They want more, are busy and may end up in burnout. They are great in sales and in driving the performance of their team. They manage business units well with their operational mindset.
A smaller number have experienced events and challenges in life to bring them to the stage of Catalyst/Redefining. At this stage a person has a wider perspective and can handle larger units. Catalysts/Redefiners lead changes, they manage time well and find more balance in life.
However, the rapid, surprising changes we experience currently, need Leaders at the Synergist/Transforming stage. They are able to surf in the VUCA waves, transform and renew business ecosystems, they are calm inside and present in the situations emerging. They have solved many of their personal triggers and shadow elements and stepped out of reactive patterns. They are the conductors of the orchestra and have visions for the future. We and the Planet need them urgently today!
The path to reach the Synergist stage may take years. With the coaching support it is considerably faster.