JKWhitehead & Associates

self-awareness

Leadership is…Reflecting on Self-Awareness

Kouzes and Posner stated in their book, The Leadership Challenge (Jossey Bass, 2012), that “Engineers have computers; painters, canvas; musicians, instruments. Leaders have only themselves. The instrument of leadership is the self, and the mastery of the art of leadership comes from mastery of the self. Leadership is self-development… And…

Leadership is… Creating Inclusive, Safe Spaces

I listened to a story this weekend of a Baptist pastor in Pennsylvania at the beginning of the last century who preached what she called “extravagant grace”. Extravagant grace to her was the concept that all were welcome into the space of worship. There were no “outsiders”. Race, economic status,…

The Words We Use Have Power

Over the past several months I have become more aware of the language, the words, I use in everyday conversations. Not only with other people but also my own inner conversations, the conversations we have with ourselves. I’m sure you know what I mean, it’s that little voice that pops…

What is leadership, anyway?

What is leadership, anyway? What is your definition of leadership? There are as many definitions for “leadership” as there are individuals defining it. Some of the big names in leadership circles have created definitions and theories that have met their own needs and circumstances, which to me is legitimate. Steven…