Exploring the Layers of Leadership Development

As I continued my  journey through Georgetown’s Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching program, we jumped into the "Coaching for Human and Adult Development" module, I had the privilege of diving deep into the complexities of how we grow as individuals and leaders. We explored different frameworks involving the domains of human experience, which helped to unpack how we construct our identity and navigate self-concept over time. It’s fascinating to see how life’s increasing complexity shapes our ability to lead with maturity and adaptability.

The curriculum also introduced transformative theories, like Carl Jung's Individuation Model and Murray Bowen's Self-Differentiation Family Systems Theory, emphasizing how personal mental health and self-awareness play critical roles in leadership. The concept of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) was another highlight, empowering us to thrive in dynamic and often challenging environments by helping to uncover what might be holding us back.  

One particular exercise that resonated deeply focused on identity. We shared both our “desired traits” and our “dreaded traits,” revealing how these dualities inform our leadership styles and how we show up in the world. This, combined with exploring adult development theories from thought leaders like Robert Kegan, gave us tools to help others evolve through phases like self-sovereign to self-transforming minds.

Ultimately, the program reinforced a critical coaching principle: helping clients adopt new perspectives and bridge misalignments is where growth truly happens.

Stay true.