Evolutionary Leadership

Discussion

Kathia Laszlo:

"Evolutionary leadership is shared leadership that embraces the complexity and interconnectedness of the world’s problems—the "problematique"—and acknowledges the need to collaborate and create a synergic system of innovative solutions—the "solutionatique." Evolutionary leadership is a means for each one of us to understand that we have a role to play in the creation of a better world no matter what our field, interests, or expertise—whether we are improving educational systems, saving the rainforest, transforming organizational cultures, engaging youth in creative expression, producing renewable energy or serving victims of abuse.

In my view, evolutionary leadership is an expanded (and expanding) notion of leadership. It goes beyond a leadership concern with narrowly defined success—as in the corporate world—to a more systemic and inclusive notion of success that takes into account the economy, society, ecosystems, and future generations.

I see two dimensions of evolutionary leadership.

The first dimension of evolutionary leadership calls for ongoing learning and personal development because it demands more capacities and skills to cope with increasing complexity.

The second dimension involves an expansion of the boundaries of the inquiry, seeking to contribute to the transformation of social and environmental systems in an increasingly inclusive way. The inquiry may begin in a local community or organization, but it eventually becomes connected with socio-ecological efforts." (http://saybrook.typepad.com/complexity/2011/09/evolutionary-leadership-the-embodiment-of-systems-being.html)