How do we recognize (good) leadership in others and in ourselves? What do we look for and how can we cultivate leaders in our communities, organizations and societies? When do we follow and what propels us into different roles of participation in our various settings? When and why do we take a stand, even against our leaders? When and why do we support them, even if the potential outcomes are questionable?
The inner and outer dimensions of leadership in us and in others have many forms as well as qualities: those who have emerged; those who consciously grasped the “reins” of leadership; and those upon whom we have bestowed leadership—to name a few. The elements of leadership are a combined tapestry of our natural talent, heritage and personal development, our circumstances and opportunities.
Is a boss, or a faculty chair, or even an elected official necessarily a leader? Outer roles are not always appropriately filled by those who take them on. Leading by example, insight, or service often occurs regardless of role. How do these inner and outer realities meet?
This course will explore the building blocks of inner and outer leadership and look at different models and examples of leadership. From “servant-leadership,” to consensus approaches to charismatic and moral leadership; to archetypes like the leadership demonstrated by the “wise man, the warrior, the healer, the king”—the course will survey a number of approaches and paradigms to leadership. And, through participatory exercises and shared experiences, we will work on leadership skill-building exercises and processes that could be applied to our communities and personal situations. For example: participants will be asked to engage actively in exercises connected to identification of values, role playing, conflict resolution and personal motivation.
The course is suitable for those in leadership practices and for those new to issues of leadership and actively engaged in their own inquiry about their place in social organizations.
Text: Herman Hesse,
Journey to the East Suggested reading: Rudolf Steiner,
How to Know Higher Worlds (SteinerBooks), Chapter 4
.
CLEMENS PIETZNER
CLEMENS PIETZNER is president of Triskeles Foundation, an organization
dedicated to youth, community building, philanthropic education, and
donor services. Clemens leads Triskeles in strategic planning and
envisioning, fund raising, personnel and program development. From 1984
to 2002, Clemens was executive director of the Camphill Foundation, an
organization serving communities of children, youth, and adults with
developmental disabilities. He served internationally as a trainer for
development professionals and as an adult educator. Clemens worked in
the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities and with the Ohio state legislature.
LAURIE PORTOCARRERO
LAURIE PORTOCARRERO brings her life long passion for acting and dancing, as well as a wealth of teaching and professional stage experience.Coached by her Costa Rican diva grandmother as a child, she has studied, taught and performed in the U.S., Switzerland and Australia. She is co-founder of the After-School Drama Program for high school and middle school students. She offers an ongoing adult workshop called Drama as a Healing Art, and teaches drama to special needs adults.