Our work enables alternative models and approaches to leadership such as feminist leadership and leaderful approaches. These recognise and celebrate the diversity of skills, experiences and potential of people. Crucially, all of these different models seek to challenge and change how power is typically held by leaders.
We are especially interested in 'shared leadership'. This represents a conscious shift to a different way of sharing influence and decision making, including a move away from ‘power over’ to ‘power with’, ‘for’ and ‘through’ others. We believe that this is particularly relevant to the next generation of leaders who are attracted to new forms of organising; forms that are better aligned to current and future needs.
We are hosting a webinar on shared leadership on 14th November (12.00-13.30 GMT on Zoom). We would be delighted if you could join us! To find out more, click here for a flyer and click here to register. During the webinar we will hear from speakers about their experiences of shared leadership in different contexts: across different parts of the world, different ages and experiences, different cultures, and differing gender dynamics. We will explore topics such as:
What are the key cultural considerations we need to factor in, to support this type of leadership approach?
How could this approach be integrated into your organisation to inspire a more diverse profile in leadership?
How can this approach change the current narrative of leadership, to be more attractive for the next generation of leaders?
What are the key barriers and conditions of success?
We have the following speakers. And we will also share our experiences at Caplor Horizons.
Emily Chalke and Minke van Til from Ella’s, a London based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Samson Hailu Bekele from Water for People, a global organisation that promotes the development of high quality drinking water and sanitation, accessible to all.
Leadership: the courage to be yourself – finding your authentic voice. The models and approaches we champion call for high levels of self-awareness and courage to be yourself. This is sometimes referred to as ‘finding your authentic voice’.
In a recent podcast our Advisor, Clive (Hyland), and his colleague Victoria (Hall), explore questions such as ‘who am I when I am my authentic self?’ They point out that a deeper level of self-awareness, coupled with a better understanding of how our brains process information, and focus our intention and attention, can contribute to more authentic leadership. You can listen to the podcast here.
In her excellent forthcoming book ‘Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety’ our Advisor, Dr Lynne (Sedgemore), takes a deeper dive into the practice of ‘presence’. This includes insights about how carrying out ‘inner work’ can strengthen our resilience and give us the courage and ability to be authentic leaders and be our best selves. Lynne writes: ‘presence, which stimulates and encourages our inner work, is the antidote to anxiety as it supports and nourishes us into more sustainable and skilful outer action’. You can pre-order Lynne’s book here.
Working with authentic leaders: we are privileged to work with many leaders in different countries who demonstrate high levels of self-awareness and authenticity.
Recently Lorna (Pearcey) and Kemal (Shaheen) were in Ireland supporting two such leaders – Karol Balfe CEO at ActionAid Ireland and CEO and Co-founder of Development Perspectives Bobby McCormack. Helping ActionAid Ireland with a governance review and Development Perspectives through a strategy renewal process are both examples of how Caplor Horizons enables organisations driven by a strong sense of purpose to find and amplify their authentic voice in the world.
Rosie (Bishop) has recently returned from Zambia and South Africa where she has also been supporting some inspirational organisations and leaders, including Bluemoon Projects in Cape Town. They are a construction charity providing social assistance to some of Cape Town’s most marginalised informal settlements. Their vision is to create safe and empowering spaces for children to excel. They do this through constructing and formalising Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs). To read more about their work and support them to raise crucial funds, click here.
Trustee Recruitment: we’re looking for up to three new Trustees to join our Board. If you share our charity’s values, beliefs, vision and purpose, and are driven to make meaningful change in the world, please click here to find out more and apply now! Applications close on Sunday 26th November.
Change Maker of the Week
Quote of the week: “Authenticity is about the choice to show up and be real" Brene Brown
Best wishes
Ian, Rosie, Lorna and Kemal