Embodying your own leadership style

I remember when I had my first leadership role at the top of an organisation. I was very aware of the power that came with it and felt apprehensive. I had a clear fear of power, because I had witnessed how it is so easily abused. And I was deeply committed to embodying the values I so passionately believed in.

I saw very few leaders around me, who in my eyes were embodying the values they proclaimed. I knew I didn’t want to lead like the leaders I had worked with and/or witnessed from afar, bar a few exceptions who I could feel were having a tough time. There was a lot I didn’t want, and I wasn’t clear how I could embody my values and lead.  

How do you define leadership?

Now I teach and train Executives in ‘leadership’ and one of the first questions I often ask is: What is leadership for you? Many of my clients have never stopped and thought about this. They have just been learning by seeing and adopting the predominant leadership style around them. I am not surprised because that is what happened to me.

Therefore, making space to ask yourself about what leadership is for you and how you want to lead is so important. Doing this regularly is the awareness practice that I believe is essential for anyone in a position of power. Doing this in community with others is even more beneficial, because you are able to collectively question some of the predominant models of leadership that are not working for you. You realise that you are not alone and you find yourself strengthened in your endeavour to create a new paradigm.

The power of co-leadership

 My own journey was one where I looked for the support from people I knew would challenge me to think outside the box, understand my fear of power and harness it to embrace a consistent practice of reflection and learning around power and leadership.

Part of this practice led me to embrace co-leadership as a model that I deeply believe in. I am excited that it is something that is more and more prevalent in the NGO sector now. Co-leadership allowed me to embody my feminist values in a real way and it allowed me to defy the traditional belief that it is ‘lonely at the top’.

Introducing our Coaching Circle for Leading Women

When I left the NGO sector and I set up my own business called Fierce Power – yes I am no longer scared of/by power – I knew that I wanted to continue to find ways to co-create. Most importantly, I wanted to follow my passion to create spaces for leaders to come together and reflect on power and leadership.

 And for me it was obvious that I would ask Shivonne Graham, who had been my co-leader at Women for Women International, whether she would be up for co-leading a course for women leaders in the sector. She was! and we are in our third year offering the course. The experience has been exceptional.

Firstly, the incredible talent of women leaders in the sector is breath taking and exciting and fills us with hope every time.

Secondly, what Shivonne and I experienced in our attempt to create a new paradigm is very much alive and kicking in the sector. This tells us that the need for collective spaces of reflection and support is very much real.

And finally, the impact that spaces like this have is also real and powerful. We have seen transformation right there in front of our own eyes. We see how we rise together when we ask ourselves difficult questions and we invite ourselves to really find our own answers. That’s when we embody our own leadership style!

Enrolment for the 2024 Leading Women Coaching Circle is now open. Follow this link to find out more and get in touch with Brita and Shivonne on hello@fierce-power.com

Brita Fernandez Schmidt is an author, public speaker, transformational coach and founder of Fierce Power. She is a member of the Roots + Wings Collective.