By Michelle Maldonado
Associate Vice President of Corporate and Strategic Relationships, American Public University System
Despite uniquely contrasting cultures, the applications of self-mastery and overcoming shadow perspectives are equally effective for leading in nonprofit, educational and government organizations as they are for private industry. In this fifth edition of the Authentic Leadership Series, Dr. Velma Cobb, Principal of the V.L. Cobb Leadership Group, sheds light on brain-based frameworks that drive “intrepreneurship” and innovation. As a continuation of this Authentic Leadership installment, Dr. Cobb and Michelle Maldonado will also join efforts to present, “Playing the Bigger Game: Taking Authentic Leadership to the Next Level,” March 18 at the 2013 Spring Chief Learning Officer Symposium in Cedar Creek, Texas.
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Q: What is one of the most critical skills needed for effective leadership?
Dr. Cobb: Self-awareness. It’s the ability to have presence of mind and be conscious of what’s happening around and within you at any given moment. It’s simply noticing the way things are, not only in terms of thinking, but also in terms of gut intuition because the information that our instincts provide us are equally valuable. We live our lives through our unique lenses and ultimately our perception is our reality.
An important aspect of self-awareness is the ability to reserve judgment and create a space of openness for possibilities beyond our initial perceptions. For leaders that have considerable knowledge and skills, this element of withholding judgment can be quite difficult. To be truly self-aware, leaders must notice when their own “knowing” impedes their ability to be open to what’s happening in totality: the people, the work environment and industry trends. Self-awareness then becomes the prerequisite for social awareness, which is the ability to manage relationships and build networks.
Read on to learn more of Dr. Velma Cobb’s insights on conscious business as part of the APUS Authentic Leadership Series, “Transforming Shadow Perspectives: Creating Conscious Business One Leader at a Time.”
About Michelle Maldonado:
Michelle Maldonado is the creator of The Authentic Leadership Series and serves as Associate Vice President of the Corporate and Strategic Relationships team for American Public University. She is a former practicing attorney with more than 17 years of leadership experience in strategic planning, operations and partnership development across the education, technology, and online media industries. Michelle is passionate about talent development, coaching, and mentoring of professionals to support individual growth and success. Utilizing an authentic and consultative approach, Michelle collaborates with industry organizations to form education alliances that support overall talent and institutional growth strategies. To learn more about how American Public University’s programs and services may help you, please visit: www.StudyAtAPU.com/Solutions or contact Michelle at mmaldonado@apus.edu.
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