This book explores the essential pillars of leadership during transition to help leaders effectively manage the tension between protecting core values and achieving goals while responding flexibly to changing circumstances.Jakob van Wielink demonstrates how to transform the five most common failure factors – Bonding, Risk, Conflict, Change and Calling – into powerful principles for successful transition. Based on his own experience, using the latest scientific research, and enriched by compelling examples from world literature and philosophy, the author encourages the reader to embark on their own leadership development journey in preparation for the diverse roles they will fulfil in life. Throughout, the book offers indispensable perspectives, personal reflections, and concrete tools that challenge the reader to deepen and strengthen their own leadership.This book is for current and existing leaders looking to enhance their own leadership skills to lead with influence, impact and results. It will also be of interest to students of management and leadership, particularly those with an interest in identity and change management.
Jakob van Wielink is a founding partner of De School voor Transitie (The School for Transition), The Netherlands, and is associated with the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. He is co-author of The Language of Transition in Leadership, which was shortlisted for Management Book of the Year in The Netherlands in 2021.
Preface by Susan GoldsworthyPreface by Yvonne BurgerPrologueWhere Leadership BeginsMy Own Journey and the PillarsLeadership Is an Invitation to Embark on a JourneyBonding: The Power of Genuine ConnectionRisk: Dare to GrowConflict: The Invitation of DifferenceChange: Lasting Effect Requires TransitionCalling: Knowing Who You Are and What You Stand ForI'm Going on a Trip and I'm Bringing...The First Pillar: BondingBonding Starts with ConnectednessSelf-imagePerson EffectLeadership and ParentingDialogue as an Empathetic EncounterDialogue and SafetyEmbodied DialogueListening and Suspending JudgmentParaphraseListening and Asking QuestionsListening and SilenceIntimacy and ClosenessRecognition and AppreciationKey Insights to Take AwayThree Questions for LeadersThe Second Pillar: RiskBoundary ExperiencesSecure BasesMind's Eye and LearningMindsetPlace and PositionInspirationSources of InspirationHope and DisappointmentPower and AuthorityEthical Aspects of PowerVulnerability and Postponing RisksImportant Insights for the JourneyThree Questions for LeadersThe Third Pillar: ConflictThe Fish on the TableBoundary EncountersThe Origin of Our DiscomfortExcellence and Psychological SafetyThe Window of ExcellencePsychological SafetyMisunderstandings About Psychological SafetyThe Paradox of SafetyConflict and FightingBeing the Hero?Conflict and EnergyConflict as a MirrorMaking Conflict ProductiveForgiveness(Self) ForgivenessBack to ConflictImportant Insights for the JourneyThree Questions for LeadersThe Fourth Pillar: ChangeThreshold Experiences and Border CrossingsLiminalityThe DesertSaying GoodbyeDon't Look Back?Bearers of MeaningShaping RitualsUnloading and Reconnecting with Hot Soup After the PandemicGathering Around the CampfireA Meaningful Farewell to a ColleagueCollective Transition Rituals in Difficult TimesDaily Rituals as Small TransitionsCrisisSpirituality and TransitionResistanceImportant Insights for the JourneyThree Questions for LeadersThe Fifth Pillar: CallingYour Calling and Your Leadership JourneyCalling and RolesDiscovering your callingNot the Easiest PathTrials by FireCalling, Community, and OrganizationCalling and Secure basesLegacyIdentityMen and Women’s Unique Leadership JourneysBurnout Is a Crisis of CallingMeaningFreeing Yourself to Lead from Your CallingAt the End of This Journey—A New BeginningImportant Insights for the JourneyThree questions for the leaderEpilogue