According to our 2024 Cosmic Conference Speakers
As part of the 2024 Cosmic Conference, titled The Cosmic Dance: Mastering Dualities in Leadership, we asked our speakers to reflect on a critical question: Which polarity is essential for leaders to master?
Here’s what they shared:
Ayoub Semaan: Focus Internally vs. Focus Externally
Ayoub Semaan, Executive Coach and Partner at Cultivating Leadership joined us for his session, "Mastering Change in Uncertainty." Drawing on his experience coaching leaders through complexity, Ayoub identified the polarity of focusing internally versus externally as essential.
This polarity reflects the dual role leaders play: looking inward to foster self-awareness, values alignment, and team cohesion, while simultaneously looking outward to engage with external stakeholders, market dynamics, and the broader organizational mission. Navigating this tension demands clarity of purpose and the ability to dance across the spectrum of introspection and action.
Matt Bartlett-Bond: Open-Door vs. Closed-Door
Matt Bartlett-Bond, a burnout researcher and coach, brought his expertise to the session "Mastering Sustainable Performance and Not Burning Out." He highlighted the open-door versus closed-door polarity as critical for leaders to master.
“Leaders who maintain a constant open-door policy risk being perpetually available, compromising their ability to focus on strategic thinking,” Matt explained. “On the other hand, being unavailable risks alienating their teams. Mastering this duality requires self-awareness to discern when to prioritize accessibility and when to protect time for deep work.”
Rajit Nanda: Present vs. Future
Rajit Nanda, CEO of DataVolt, joined us for our Leaders offsite in Dubai where he shared his perspective during the fireside chat "Mastering Organizational Polarities." He emphasized the importance of balancing toward the present, particularly for growth-focused CEOs.
“Balance toward the present is required a lot, especially for growth CEOs.” His insight reinforces the idea that while visionary thinking is vital, leaders must remain present to address current challenges and build sustainable foundations for the future.
Gayle Karen Young: Self vs. Other
Gayle Karen Young, Executive Coach and Partner at Cultivating Leadership explored the complexities of organizational polarities in her session, "Mastering the Mythic & Mundane." In her session, Gayle offered a nuanced perspective on the self vs. other polarity.
“This polarity comes under pressure at every stage of leadership; Leaders must navigate the tension between their individual scope of responsibility and the collective needs of the organization, balancing personal impact with legacy,” she shared. Mastering this polarity requires leaders to foster both self-awareness and an expansive understanding of their team and organizational systems.
These reflections reveal that the polarities leaders struggle with often stem from the complex interplay of immediate demands and long-term aspirations. Whether it’s balancing performance with development, rest with exertion, or the past with the present, leaders are tasked with navigating these tensions thoughtfully. The key lies in cultivating awareness, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose to manage these dualities effectively.
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