Leadership Mentoring
Leadership Mentoring
Mentoring for Personal Mastery
Mentoring is concerned with the personal development of the individual
rather than purely performance or outcome driven (Coaching).
However, there is most definitely an outcome in mentoring that is the extraordinary growth of the individual and the multiplication of their
sphere of influence.
As a previous chief executive, I came to realize that the development of my
own sphere of influence was more important than any knowledge or
skills that I possessed. Sphere of influence in this context can be thought of as the size of your circle of trust.
Trust being the cornerstone of business and political social capital. Trust is also the foundation of Transformation.
True power lies is in our ability to Trust and not control.
This insight and understanding spurred me to leave the corporate world and pursue my own personal development and self-mastery. Over the past 12 years, I have explored my inner-development to become an authentic transformational presence and guide.
The basis for my mentorship is to guide leaders to their own authentic expression and radiant sphere of influence.
-Michael Raal
Personal development models:
Change vs Transformation vs Evolution
Personal development is not about change. It is about transformation.
Change is what occurs outside of ourselves (behaviors / habits/ environment).
Most often when an individual is faced with change, there is an external response made up of actions, solutions and response. However, the constant process of changing external conditions does force us eventually to confront the need for internal changes as the resistance and creative tension to external conditions increases.
These internal changes are what is meant by transformation. It takes tremendous trust to let go of old patterns of thinking, behaving, and being.
Transformation is an inner shift that then allows us to be more effective and creative in response to continual changing external conditions.
Personal development is not about change. It is about transformation.
-Michael Raal
The need for an internal creative response
A great study of transformation was made by one of the greatest historians of our time, Arnold Toynbee, who authored a book called a Study of History (the largest book ever written at 3 million words).
In this exhaustive study, he charted the rise and fall of civilizations in great detail and analysis. Toynbee’s conclusion was that civilizations rise not because of changing external conditions (climate change, social change) but rather because of a creative response to these changes (the invent of agriculture / industry / division of labor, etc.)
He further concluded that civilizations fail because society fails to recognize the need for a creative response to the new external challenges.
What Toynbee is referring to here is transformation as an internal creative response to external challenges.
The Challenge for America Today.
America no longer has the luxury of resisting change. Only the transformation of American society will suffice. This is the primary challenge that America faces today, including those in leadership positions in business and politics.
We require a new creative response to the current challenges which does not just change the status quo, but transforms and continually evolves the very nature of our society.
My mentoring practice's goal is to bring forth enlightened leadership to the fore and create a sphere of influence that rebuilds societal capital, values, and returns America back to the principles of freedom.
America does not have the luxury of pursuing change anymore. Only Transformation of American Society will suffice.
-Michael Raal
Leadership and Freedom
Freedom is the understanding that we are the creator of our own experience. This confronts us with the responsibility for our own freedom. Choosing freedom is the willingness to be accountable. Freedom is not "getting our own way in life", nor is it means of escaping accountability as is so often is the case in our society.
The real purpose of leadership is to confront people with their own pursuit of freedom.
If we are not free within ourselves, how can we free others?
This is the challenge for leaders - be be free within themselves.
As leaders, only after we are confronted with our own lack of freedom, can we truly begin to bring enlightened leadership and caring for the whole of society and not just the constituent parts.
The real purpose of leadership is to confront people with their own pursuit of freedom.
-Michael Raal
Mentoring Methodology
My mentoring methodology that i have created through my own experience is to restore the 3 main centers of intelligence within every leader: Mental intelligence / emotional intelligence / body intelligence.
Every physiological and societal problem has at its core an imbalance in one of these areas.
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Mental intelligence imbalance: Intellectualism which lacks wisdom and discernment
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Emotional intelligence imbalance: disconnection of empathy or over reliance on sympathy.
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Body intelligence imbalance: the use of force or manipulation which lacks the power of authenticity.
These three intelligences are required to be mastered and balanced in order for true integrity and creativity to be present. Consider power without wisdom for example: What good is taking action if it is not wise or properly discerned? What good is having mental intelligence without the power to enact it?
Enneagram Executive Assessments Tool
One of the development tools I use is the Enneagram.
The Enneagram is an archetypal model of 9 Types used for personal and team development from open systems perspective. It is not a personality test but rather uncovers our true creative and genius.
It provides deeper insight into core motivations and fears driving behavior, needs and interactions.
The Enneagram is a catalyst for organizational development at individual, team and organizational levels. Enneagram-based insight has the ability to reflect deep motivators and change behaviors, giving it great power in the context of a complex adaptive system such as a team or organization.
As it speaks to intrinsic motivations, the Enneagram adds deep value to executive mentoring engagement, change management, organizational culture, team development and organizational coherence.
The Enneagram is not a superficial framework to provide quick and short-lived insight – its depth and layered approach allows for unfolding and adapting organizational journeys over time.
The Enneagram report covers the following topics:
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Core Enneagram Type
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Motivation, Behavior, Psychodynamics
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Blind Spots, Strengths and Challenges
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Centre of Expression
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Triadic Center Styles
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27 Subtypes
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Wing Influence
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Self-Awareness and Integration
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Strain Levels x 6
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Communication
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Giving and Receiving Feedback
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Feedback Guide for all Types
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Conflict and Triggers
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Decision Making
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Leadership and Management
