Stepping onto the Global Stage in a Virtual World
A Deep Dive into Transforming Your Whole Self into a 21st Century Sawubona Leader
A 3-Stage Live Virtual Leadership Workshop & Project Lab
with executive coach, best-selling author & co-founder of Sawubona Leadership
SUSAN INOUYE
WELCOME TO THE PATH OF THE SAWUBONA LEADER
To be a successful 21st century leader who can navigate today’s complex and uncertain world, can be overwhelmingly stressful and challenging. No leader can do it alone. We need all our people to have the “Leadership Capabilities”¹ once only required of senior leaders to help us anticipate change and innovate the next best thing to stay ahead of the curve so we succeed in achieving our mission.
In 20 years of executive coaching, I’ve discovered there’s a distinct difference between being a manager and being an authentic leader. “Managers” guide and help people do the work and hold them accountable. “Leaders” however, create the culture where people are compelled to figure out and learn what to do so they hold themselves accountable. They’ve learned that we see others not how they are, but how we are.² So developing and bringing our whole self into our work is the only really effective way to lead, thrive and succeed, in the 21st century. And it’s more who we are rather than what we do that will compel others to align with our purpose and bring our vision to life.
1-The “Leadership Capabilities” are: Big Picture Thinking, Vision & Foresight, Innovation, Intuitive Knowing, Risk taking
2-“We don’t see things as they are. We see things as we are.” – Rabbi Shemuel ben Nachmani, as quoted in the Talmudic tractate Berakhot (55b.)
A HERO’S JOURNEY
“An initiation in the sense of a rite of passage marks a turning point in our life’s journey wherein everything changes. A spiritual initiation ensues when a supreme ordeal occurs that changes us forever. In these times we can simply hope to just survive the difficult events and pray for a return to normalcy, which can never really happen. In such a case, we risk being shaped by fear or confusion. Or we can enter the initiation consciously and thus find greater strength and purpose for our gifts and empower how we are shaped.”
As a leader, you will be faced with many initiations – a life experience that changes you forever. It’s how you open up to that initiation, find ways to creatively redirect it into a life-giving opportunity for you and your people that will define you as a leader.
An initiation sets a “new normal.” We can never go back to normal or business as usual. We’re forced as leaders and individuals to transition into a new way of looking at ourselves, our lives, work, relationships and world. Those who survive don’t wait for it to be over, but adapt or adjust. Those who go beyond survival to thrive take the opportunity to create new ways of living, working and being in the world. Those who thrive long term, transform their companies and more importantly, transform themselves. They look within to who they are and who they have to become to live and lead their people in a new reality, one that will better serve their people, community and transform the world for the better. This is at the heart of being a Sawubona Leader.
Sawubona leaders help their people navigate through the storm, while creating a sense of unity and belonging that brings individuals together to face the CHALLENGES. Thus, people discover what they’re capable of and find the inspiration to innovate new ways of working in the world. They enhance the organization’s vision and transform their industry. They help others to REINTEGRATE back to the community with a deepened sense of meaning and purpose for existing.
WHAT IS SAWUBONA LEADERSHIP?
Sawubona (sah-woo-BOH-na) Leadership is a seemingly simple yet profoundly impactful way of engaging others. It compels employees to be driven from within to achieve the organization’s mission and to unite behind its success. Unlike leadership approaches that tell you how to get employees to be their best self, Sawubona Leadership starts by recognizing that people already are their best self. Sawubona Leaders see each person as intrinsically gifted. They develop the whole person and create the opportunities and culture for each to live up to their highest potential. By serving a person’s highest purpose, Sawubona Leaders unleash an inner drive; employees choose to go beyond what is expected; they invest in themselves, their work, and their organizations. Sawubona communities strive to achieve a greater good and are committed to changing the world for the better.
The Essence of Sawubona Leadership is found in a Zulu greeting and reply:
Sawubona: I see you.
Yebo Sawubona: I see you seeing me.
Sawubona is an invitation to a deep witnessing and mutual presence— an intention to see each other for our gifts and our purpose in the world. When leaders approach their people with this spirit, a deeper level of connection, conversation, and community is possible.
WHY SAWUBONA LEADERSHIP NOW?
COVID-19 is an initiation that has physically separated people from their organizations. When we’re miles apart, how do we create the essence of connection (not communication or connectivity, but how I feel when I’m with you) and belonging? How do we successfully lead a remote and virtual workforce? Sawubona leaders guide their people to find meaning and purpose in their work and lives so they feel that they are a part of something greater than themselves. This sense of belonging inspires people to go beyond what’s expected to invest in themselves, their work and the organization.
The battle for Racial Justice is an initiation that has compelled leaders of companies to take a hard stand against the horrific killings of people of color. There has never been a stronger cry, especially in companies today for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). How do we create a culture where DEI is not simply a numbers game, but is truly lived in every part of the organization? Further, is having DEI enough to create a culture where people feel they belong? Sawubona Leadership whose essence is seeing and accepting people for who they are, is a portal for leaders to create cultures of connection and belonging. Thus, DEI becomes an integral part of the culture – a given rather than a thing to do.
The “Me Too” Movement sparked a cultural initiation that has brought to light again how differently our society treats men versus women and all genders. How do we create company cultures that are not just shaped around male-dominated ways of doing things, but are truly supportive of all genders?
We can do many things to show gender neutrality but if we don’t have the right inclusive culture, people and organizations won’t benefit long term. Sawubona leaders go beyond the quick fixes that address the symptoms. Instead, they address the cause so that benefits are lasting and sustainable.
HOW SAWUBONA LEADERS ANSWER
THE CALL TO THE CHANGING
LANDSCAPE OF LEADERSHIP
There’s a perfect storm brewing up in our world today. And it’s creating a revolution that is shifting not only how we do business but how we lead as well. With this revolution comes great opportunity for those leaders who know how to navigate through the changes that are happening daily and understand the most important realities facing companies today.
Sawubona leaders are outliers who welcome these realities as something to embrace and engage with rather than fear or ignore. These realities forming this perfect storm consists of the following:
MILLENNIALS ARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS
With a worldview wildly different from their predecessors, millennials are forcing an evolution in leadership. Authoritative practices of leadership no longer work, especially on this new generation of emerging leaders.
Over a decade ago, I went on a quest to help my executives engage their young people because I saw the pain and suffering between generations. Wanting to find a methodology that was not just based in theory or academics but grounded in proven results, an executive friend led me to South Central Los Angeles and Tony LoRe, Founder of Youth Mentoring Connection (YMC). Here was a former CEO, who for the past fifteen years had been transforming and saving the lives of thousands of inner-city millennials through his mentoring programs with unprecedented results. His approach came from listening to what this generation told him would engage them. Over the years, he created the “Gift-Centered Approach™.” (GCA) which refers to bringing out the best “gifts” that each of us carries inside. This method is at the heart of the way he leads which he called “Sawubona”, a Zulu word meaning “I see you”.
Sawubona is based on the needs of millennials and all human beings:
- To feel heard.
- To use our gifts.
- To have meaning and purpose in our lives.
The principles of Sawubona Leadership are the answer to these three needs:
- Connect and Receive.
- See the Gifts.
- Create a Sawubona Culture where people feel a part of something greater than themselves.
If you master these three simple principles, the byproducts result in leaders connecting with and engaging their people in ways that inspire them to create a culture of belonging and to go beyond what is expected to invest in themselves, their work, and the mission of the company.
I have taken Sawubona Leadership into hundreds of companies resulting in dramatic turnarounds, cultural transformations, and increased productivity and profitability for my clients. Today Sawubona Leadership and the Gift Centered Approach are in over 30 countries.
STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE
In this ever-changing world, the only constant is change. To compete, successful leaders know you can’t be on the cutting-edge, you must “redefine the edge.” That means anticipating change, innovating the next best thing and making decisions in a shorter timeframe without all the information. Leaders can only work so many more hours or be so much more efficient. Great leaders know that working harder is not enough to succeed. They realize that things are shifting so quickly that they can’t do it alone. They need the eyes of all their people anticipating what’s around the corner before it happens. They need the gifts of all their people innovating the next disruption in their industry. When an “Uber” comes out of left field and catches a company off guard, the company is now behind the curve instead of in front of it.
Unless leaders make the shift to develop, within themselves and their people, capabilities that were once considered important for only those in leadership roles, their people will not have the abilities to anticipate change and their companies will not sustain long-term success in the 21st century. Past leadership styles are no longer sufficient to fulfill the needs of a new generation of leaders or a changing world where leaders must stay ahead of the curve.
Sawubona leaders know what’s critical today is the capacity to develop your people’s “gifts” and the Leadership Capabilities once required for leadership positions only.
The 5 Leadership Capabilities are:
- Big-picture thinking—seeing situations with a wide viewpoint, a broad perspective.
- Vision and foresight—using one’s imagination to envision what’s possible, what’s around the corner.
- Innovation—creatively thinking not just outside the box, but where there is no box.
- Intuitive knowing—making decisions based not just on external information but also on one’s intuition and gut feeling.
- Risk taking—letting go, going with the flow, and being comfortable with uncertainty.
THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about artificial intelligence – robots replacing people. So what makes you different than a robot? What value do you bring that Alexa can’t? Automation is continually replacing people’s job functions. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the question from college students graduating was, “Will there be jobs for us when we graduate because of automation?”
Successful leaders know that it takes more than knowledge, intellect or even experience to thrive. If you’re only operating from the intelligence of your head/mind, you’re using one-third of the amount of your capacity available to you. In recent years, scientists have found that vast untapped intelligences exist in our hearts and bodies. Tapping into these intelligences are critical to a leader’s success in the 21st century so they use their intuitive knowing when making decisions, sense what’s around the corner when there are few hard facts to guide them and think not just outside-the-box but where there is none. Developing all three centers of intelligences: HEAD – HEART – BODY; gives them the capacity to do what robots can’t!
Sawubona leaders use and integrate all three intelligences so their way of being changes and it becomes a more natural part of the way they lead and live their lives. It’s what helps them to connect with and receive from others and especially see their gifts. In doing this, they begin to build a Sawubona culture where people feel seen for who they are, can use their gifts to get the results needed, and can live in their purpose because it’s aligned with the company’s purpose. Thus, they feel a part of something greater than themselves, leading to a company’s long-term sustainable success.
SAWUBONA LEADERSHIP & THE GIFT-CENTERED APPROACH™
ARE IN OVER 30 COUNTRIES.
SAWUBONA LEADERSHIP FORUM
What’s the Purpose?
The Sawubona Leadership Forum is designed to:
Create a new legacy of leadership – leadership that recognizes that the world is radically changing and explodes old paradigms to make room for more highly effective ways of doing things.
Transform an organization’s culture so its leaders and people collaborate in a way where people see and honor the whole person (gifts, blind spots, strengths, weakness, genius) and what they bring, thus motivating individuals to go beyond what is expected to invest in themselves, their work and the mission of the company and greater good it serves.
What’s the Path?
The Sawubona Leadership Forum is a “hero’s journey” that puts an organization’s leaders on the cutting edge of leadership, integrating the best and most forward-thinking practices. Backed by neuroscience, this approach is already achieving breakthrough results in corporations and non-profits alike. It is comprised of three stages: Awakening, Integration, and Mastery.
Interactive and enlightening activities and processes are used to introduce the forward-thinking concepts of Sawubona Leadership and empower participants to take full advantage of this new journey. Experiential practices take insights gained to develop new habits that lead to fresh competencies that better support all involved. The intellect of the mind is integrated with the emotional intelligence of the heart and the somatic intelligence of the body. Therefore, participants experience a deep connection within themselves and with their people while still accomplishing their outcomes.
What results can you expect?
Here are some of the qualities that people have developed and learned to embody.
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RESILIENCE: BIG-PICTURE THINKING: VISION & FORESIGHT: INNOVATION: INTUITION: RISK TAKING: GO WITH THE FLOW: |
PATIENCE: TRUST: WORK LIFE BALANCE: CONFIDENCE: EMOTIONALLY & SOMATICALLY INTELLIGENT: Developing the capacity to sense situations and people – the meaning underneath people’s words or when they say nothing at all; intuiting what’s around the corner with few facts to guide you. LEADERSHIP PRESENCE: ENGAGE MILLENNIALS: YOUR PURPOSE: |
What results can you expect?
Here are some of the qualities that people have developed and learned to embody.
RESILIENCE:
The resilience to persist in the face of the challenges thrown at you.
BIG-PICTURE THINKING:
Getting out of the weeds, stepping back to see the bigger picture, allowing you to see a different perspective.
VISION & FORESIGHT:
Igniting your imagination to envision what’s possible, allowing you to create the “next normal” for your department, company, industry.
INNOVATION:
Being more innovative in how you see things, whether it is how you view a situation or solve challenges.
INTUITION:
Discovering and tapping into your intuitive knowing as another resource of wisdom so you can make good decisions more quickly. This becomes critical in a world that is constantly changing and demanding answers now or opportunities are missed.
RISK TAKING:
Feeling more comfortable leading in uncertainty – to take the risks needed; to make good decisions even when you have few facts to guide you.
GO WITH THE FLOW:
Going with the flow more easily in an uncertain world, thus being able to more easily address disruptors as they appear. You feel more comfortable designing for what’s emerging, even if it wasn’t already part of the plan.
PATIENCE:
Having the patience to be present and listen with openness.
TRUST:
Letting go, delegating and trusting others to get the results needed by using their gifts and doing it in their way.
WORK LIFE BALANCE:
Setting boundaries; you can confidently and tactfully confront others in a way that supports yourself and them.
CONFIDENCE:
Having the confidence to stand for what you believe and knowing how to bring your voice to the table in a way that others listen to what you say.
EMOTIONALLY & SOMATICALLY INTELLIGENT: Developing the capacity to sense situations and people – the meaning underneath people’s words or when they say nothing at all; intuiting what’s around the corner with few facts to guide you.
LEADERSHIP PRESENCE:
Embodying the leadership presence that can calm and ground people in the midst of busyness, pressure and stress.
ENGAGE MILLENNIALS:
Better engaging, developing and retaining of the best millennials so they help you to stay ahead of the curve by innovating the next best thing.
YOUR PURPOSE:
Discover the Vision for Your Life and see how it aligns with the company’s mission. Thus, bringing deep meaning and purpose to your work to inspire and sustain you through even the most challenging times.
MORE RESULTS: How to create a powerful culture:
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OF BELONGING, where everyone not only feels valued for who they are but can be who they authentically are. They don’t have to be a different person at work than outside of work. They discover and use all their gifts to achieve the company’s mission. SHAPED TO SUPPORT ALL GENDERS, a culture shaped from the perspective of all genders so each gender can be their best and those who seek it can envision a path to leadership even with family responsibilities. BEYOND DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION, where seeing, accepting and honoring people for who they are is the norm, so DEI is not a project to be achieved but is lived in every part of the organization through our values, beliefs, processes and systems. |
OF CONNECTION, (how I feel when I’m with you) so people feel engaged, motivated and inspired even when miles apart to go beyond what’s expected to invest in themselves, their work and the organization. OF PURPOSE, where the department or company has a purpose that people can get behind because they feel a part of something greater than themselves. Note: Vision is the North Star, where you’re headed. Mission is what do you do to achieve it. Purpose is why we exist – our Noble Cause. |
MORE RESULTS: How to create a powerful culture:
OF BELONGING, where everyone not only feels valued for who they are but can be who they authentically are. They don’t have to be a different person at work than outside of work. They discover and use all their gifts to achieve the company’s mission.
SHAPED TO SUPPORT ALL GENDERS, a culture shaped from the perspective of all genders so each gender can be their best and those who seek it can envision a path to leadership even with family responsibilities.
BEYOND DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION, where seeing, accepting and honoring people for who they are is the norm, so DEI is not a project to be achieved but is lived in every part of the organization through our values, beliefs, processes and systems.
OF CONNECTION, (how I feel when I’m with you) so people feel engaged, motivated and inspired even when miles apart to go beyond what’s expected to invest in themselves, their work and the organization.
OF PURPOSE, where the department or company has a purpose that people can get behind because they feel a part of something greater than themselves. Note: Vision is the North Star, where you’re headed. Mission is what do you do to achieve it. Purpose is why we exist – our Noble Cause.
WHAT ARE THE LOGISTICS?
PLEASE NOTE: There are 2 Sawubona Leadership Forums (SLF).
SLF FOR COMPANIES
This program is designed as a forum for leaders in a specific company to experience their own transformation and that of others in a community of their peers inside their organization; then in that “new way of being” collaborate on global initiation projects that they’ll execute together at the end of the forum to take their organization to the next level. Projects take into consideration the organization’s challenges and needs and are aligned with the company’s values.
SLF FOR INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
This program is designed as a general forum for leaders of various companies to experience their own transformation and that of others in a community outside their companies; then in that “new way of being” collaborate in global initiation projects they can bring back to their people and organizations so they have new ways of being and working in this “new normal” we’re living in. Also, in this model, the tuition is quite affordable for an individual who may be personally funding their tuition. If you’re interested as an individual leader, then please email Susan@SusanInouye.com for our Prospectus: SLF for Individual Leaders. The logistics are different.
SLF FOR COMPANIES LOGISTICS:
ALL 3 STAGES CONSIST OF:
YOU TRACK
Private Coaching to support an individual’s gifts, blind spots and patterns. The leadership path is customized to their needs.
- Twelve 60-minute private coaching sessions, spanning 12 months.
- Additional private coaching sessions are available for an additional fee.
TEAM TRACK
Group Coaching to support an individual’s leadership needs. Based on feedback from senior leaders outside the group and the needs and challenges the cohort wants to address and is passionate about. The cohort creates a project to take the team, department, and/or company to the next level. This project is executed by the group at the end of the forum.
- Twelve 2-hour group coaching sessions, spanning 12 months.
WHAT ARE THE SLF PRE-REQUISITES?
The SLF is a voluntary program. No one is required to take it. In fact, an employee must be nominated into the program by their boss because they see potential in them to be a future leader of the company. It’s considered an honor to be in the SLF. After the boss meets with the employee, and depending how the interview goes, will determine whether the employee is nominated into the SLF. When a person is nominated in, it says their company is willing to invest in this person. It says the person is committed to step into the leadership path. Thus, it makes it easier for their transformation to happen.
The pre-requisite for each Stage except for Stage One is the previous Stage(s).
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THE COMPANY REGARDING COORDINATION OF THE SLF?
The company will provide someone who will coordinate all the employees’ schedule with the coach’s schedule. This person will also be the Point Person who will deal with any schedule changes and handle employee communication with the Coach. They will also be the Scribe who will attend the group coaching sessions. This is especially important when doing brainstorming sessions. It should be someone who wants to learn about leadership, not in a leadership role, but with the gifts to plan, schedule and coordinate.
HOW LARGE ARE THE COHORTS?
Each cohort consist of approximately 10 people. Within each cohort are 2 pods.
There is a minimum requirement of 5 participants to do the SLF.
WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?
Confidentiality will be honored for all sessions. Therefore, the sessions will not be recorded. However, participants will get the needed materials including a pdf of the deck of slides, assignments, and a PDF copy of the book “Leadership’s Perfect Storm”, the text we’re working from.
WHAT ABOUT CERTIFICATION?
At the end of all three stages and with the completion of assignments, the participant will be “Sawubona Certified” with a Certificate of Completion as a Sawubona Leader. The company may utilize the certification in various ways – e.g. it may be considered highly important when being considered for a leadership promotion.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE SLF FOR COMPANIES?
$10,000 USD
FOR ALL 12 MONTHS
up to 5 participants
cost per participant
$9,500 USD
FOR ALL 12 MONTHS
6-10 participants
cost per participant
$9,000 USD
FOR ALL 12 MONTHS
11-12 participants
cost per participant
*NOTE: The SLF can also be customized to fit within a company’s budget.
INCLUDED WITH COST:
- 12 group coaching sessions focused towards the desired outcomes of the organization (2 hours each).
- 12 private coaching sessions customized to the needs of the individual (60 minutes each).
- All needed materials including a pdf of the deck of slides.
- All assignments.
- A PDF of the book, “Leadership’s Perfect Storm: What Millennials Are Teaching Us about Possibilities, Passion and Purpose.” This book is the text we’ll be working from and required reading. It can also be purchased in paperback at Amazon.com. All proceeds go directly to support the nonprofit, Youth Mentoring Connection.
- A project that the cohort has created to help the company, department and/or team improve in a certain area and take it to the next level. The cohort will begin the execution of this project at the end of the forum.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
Please contact Susan at Susan@SusanInouye.com to set up a time to further discuss your organization’s needs and ask questions.
OUTLINE OF SAWUBONA LEADERSHIP FORUM
A Workshop and Project Lab
Awakening – Integration – Mastery
PLEASE NOTE: This outline will give you an idea of what’s ahead; however, nothing is set in stone. According to the breakthroughs and breakdowns of the individuals and the group, things are likely to change.
Get ready!
STAGE 1: Advanced Leadership Level 1: “Awakening”
MONTH 1
Understanding What’s It Takes to be a 21st Century Leader in a White Water World
Seeing the Big Picture of the Complex, VUCA, White Water world we live in through various models. Breaking down the Stages of four Global Initiations we’re in today. Awakening to the “Leadership Capabilities” needed to lead in the world today.
Assignment: Global Initiation Projects
(assigned a buddy)
Private Coaching Session
Overview of the two Pre-Coaching Assignments to work on: “YOU”
Assessment of Gifts, Blind spots, and Patterns. The Path to a Life of Purpose.
MONTH 2
Why Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) are Important but Not Enough!
Exploring what is DEI from a generational viewpoint and the importance of the “body” to transform a culture into one of belonging. An Intro to Sawubona Leadership, its origins, principles, how it goes beyond addressing DEI to building a culture of belonging.
Exploring OSB: A Framework for Story.
Assignment: Telling Our Story
Private Coaching Session
Discussion of the 2 Pre-Coaching Assignments you’ve completed and the personal transformational journey ahead. Mindful and Somatic* Practices to start the transformation – “Quiet the mind.”
*Somatic: Somatics is a holistic way to transform. It engages our thinking, feeling, sensing and actions. Transformation happens not in the mind with intellectual insights. It happens when we do consistent practices that allow us to embody what it feels like to be in a new way of being. This leads to the new habits that lead to a new competency where this new way of being is a more natural part of who we are.
MONTH 3
Beyond DEI to Belonging: Honoring and Integrating Our
People’s Cultural Rituals into Our Organization
Integrating Different Cultural Rituals into Our Organizations –
Checking-In through “Native American Council Practice.”
Global Initiation Projects – Presentations to Inspire Others to Join Your Project
A practice in emotionally connecting with others to influence and inspire them to be on our team.
Assignment: Global Initiation Projects continued…
Create Frameworks, not structures through the OPA model for next steps. Prepare to present to the pod why we should lead the project through the OSB model.
Private Coaching Session
Becoming aware of your gifts that support you, the blind spots that trip you up and your patterns –that have become habits. The first step to change is awareness; a Centering Practice to embody a “way of being” helpful to speaking to groups.
MONTH 4
Our Leadership Presence: Bringing Our Voice to the Table Through Sharing Our Stories
Experiencing what it feels like to embody a leadership presence that attracts and influences others through a simple yet powerful somatic Centering Practice.
Participants share their story. This is a practice in…DEI and Belonging by creating deeper relationship through our stories and a safe place to share them. It’s also an opportunity for people to use their gifts to craft their story in creative ways; bring their voice to the table; be vulnerable and speak from the heart and connect with their listeners.
Building a Culture of Belonging: Seeing the Gifts in Ourselves and Others Through People’s Story
Participants continue to share their story. For listeners, this continues to be a practice in… Connecting and Receiving from others, listening from the heart, being open, noticing our judgments and unconscious biases and observing the gifts and uniqueness in others.
The Gift Circle – An Organizational Method of Transformation
Learning this powerful method and its byproducts – transforming the person sharing and the person receiving. Implemented in various ways throughout the organization.
Assignment: Sending “Gift-Centered” emails to those sharing their stories.
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns, learning various practices, self-observations and exercises to continue the transformation. Building a foundation of practices to support your transformational journey.
STAGE 2: Advanced Leadership Level 2: “Integration”
MONTH 5
How Sawubona Leaders Navigate Through Leadership’s
Perfect Storm
The three currents of Leadership’s Perfect Storm; the Five Leadership Capabilities, leaders must have to navigate the currents of Leadership’s Perfect Storm.
The 5 LeaderShifts to Thrive in the 21st Century
The principles of Sawubona Leadership.
1st LeaderShift – From Control to Connect and Receive – Exploring Control – The need to control and be certain; how it relates to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; what it prevents us from doing; and exploring, experiencing and learning practices to embody the quality most needed by leaders to possess the Five Leadership Capabilities.
Global Initiation Projects – Campaigning to Lead the Project
Participants share presentation to address the Global Initiation and why they should lead it. It’s an honest exploration of how they’ll use their gifts, address their blind spots, and other personal obstacles they’ll face so they engage their people in ways that brings out their best self.
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns, deepening various practices to continue the transformation.
Leadership Capability: Risk taking – Learning to be more comfortable with uncertainty – Practices of Letting Go.
Assigned a new buddy (#2)
MONTH 6
1st LeaderShift – From Control to Connect and Receive (C&R) – Exploring C&R
Exploring Connection, Engagement and Trust. Experiencing connection as a felt sense (Connection is not connectivity or communication but how I feel when I’m with you). The importance of receiving. The Gift Circle revisited.
Global Initiation Projects – Campaigning to Lead the Project
continued…
Participants continue to share presentations. Teams come to a consensus on leaders for the project(s) and next steps.
Assignment: Global Initiation Projects continued…
Team Assessment through AI Inquiry – a methodology in connecting and receiving, developing deeper relationships, building a foundation from the organization’s best; setting intentions; noticing what happens within us if our expectations are met or not.
Private Coaching Session
Noticing more distinctions in your breakthroughs & breakdowns, and based on those, noticing how you can better adjust your practices to break old habits and form new ones. Continuing to integrate how you’re changing into your work and life. Developing the intelligence of your heart – emotional intelligence.
MONTH 7
2nd LeaderShift: From Conformity to See and Accept
Understanding the importance of valuing our people for their uniqueness, gifts and encouraging them to use their gifts and ideas to achieve results. Developing our heart’s intelligence which helps to develop the compassion needed to more easily let go of our judgments and see and accept people for who they are. Understanding the neuroscience behind building Heart Intelligence, practices to build it, and the importance in embodying heart or emotional intelligence.
The “Gift-Centered Approach ™ is at the Heart of Sawubona Leadership
Exploring all aspects of gifts from discovery to their other side – blind spots; turning blind spots into strengths; seeing gifts in others; how the gift is the curse.
Assignment: “Seeing the gifts in our people or in others” – a practice of observation and the heart.
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns and practices to continue the transformation.
LEADERSHIP CAPABILITY: Intuitive Knowing – Deepening your practices of the heart by learning to listen to its wisdom, opening your INTUITIVE KNOWING, a Leadership Capability needed for 21st century leaders.
MONTH 8
3rd LeaderShift: From Expectations to Intentions
Understanding the difference, the consequences of not making the shift, and the positive impact when we do make the shift on ourselves and others. How expectations are reflective of our gifts, related to our need for certainty, to be in control, not trusting, and blocks our capacity to lead in a complex and uncertain world. Practices to make the shift through embodied practices.
Debrief: Using Results of the AI Inquiry for Our Global Initiation Projects
What happened with the “intention” to be open? Were expectations met or not?
Out of this AI inquiry will come: gifts, values, best practices, ideas and more, and a Brainstorming Session taking information gathered and teams establishing their culture from which they’ll work on the Global Initiation Projects.
Assignment: Global Initiation Projects continued…Using “AI Inquiry for Teams”
Assignment: Setting intentions with ourselves and our people.
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns and practices to continue the transformation. Developing the intelligence of your body, addressing your “triggers” through somatic practices. Continuing to deepen your practices of listening to and speaking from your heart, opening your intuitive knowing.
STAGE 3: Advanced Leadership Level 3: “Mastery”
MONTH 9
4th LeaderShift: From Authority to Authenticity
Taking a deeper look at authority through the lens of the unconscious things we do to be in charge, control, and be certain and how its overuse leads to micromanaging; how it prevents us from having the Leadership Capabilities necessary to lead in this complex world. Understanding that to lead and live authentically is a continual journey of discovering, learning and developing who we are (gifts, blind spots, strengths, weaknesses, genius) and uncovering our purpose we were born to bring into the world – why we’re here.
Leadership Capability: Big-Picture Thinking –
Experiencing what it feels like to be in “Big-Picture Thinking.”
Leadership Capability: Vision and Foresight – “Ignite Your Imagination” – Engage in an exercise that stimulates the imagination to experience the feeling of envisioning what’s possible.
Discovering the Vision for Your Life – Your Life’s Purpose, Your Why – Understand how this is the engine that helps us to be inspired and committed to continue when times seem most challenging, and how big-picture thinking and imagination are key.
Assignment: Finding your WHY – Vision for Your Life; Life’s Purpose –Exercise with our buddy
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns. Continuing to deepen your practices of the heart and body to develop your intuitive knowing. Practices to embody Big-Picture thinking, imagination.
Assigned a new buddy (#3)
MONTH 10
5th LeaderShift: From Bottom-line Myopia to Belonging
Transforming a culture into one where people feel they belong and are a part of something greater than themselves takes not just the big things we do as an organization (systems, processes, guidelines) but more importantly, it’s the small things we do each day. Deepening our practices (not do more, be consistent) knowing everything we do turns us into who we are. Emphasizing the “Djembe Effect” that our leadership presence has on ourselves and others.
Gift-Centered Praise (GCP): A Portal to Building a Culture of Belonging – Understanding GCP and how it’s DIFFERENT than praise; all areas where it can be utilized and its significant impact on building a culture of belonging. A demonstration of using GCP.
Debrief: Results of the “AI Inquiry for Teams” on Global Initiation Projects
From these questions comes: the vision of the project, why it’s important to achieve, what’s preventing it from happening, innovative solutions to achieve it, what we must let go of to achieve it.
Assignment: Global Initiation Projects continues…
Sharing Frameworks and Exploring Pinholes to Enter and Integrate Change as team leaders keep the bigger picture in mind and envision what’s possible.
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns and practices to continue the transformation. Continuing to deepen your practices of the heart and body to address your needs.
MONTH 11
Moving into Mastery as a Sawubona Leader!
Create a Culture Where People Feel A Part of Something Greater Than Themselves
Aligning our Vision for Our Life and that of our people (Life’s Purpose, Our Why) with the Nobel Cause (Purpose) and/or Mission of our department or organization or company/business, and ways to live it so it benefits all.
Leadership Capability: Innovation to Stay Ahead of the Curve –
Understanding innovation in terms of DOMAINS OF COMPETENCY. Cross-disciplinary training – a portal to innovation, and practices to embody it.
Understanding Balance Beyond Being Too Busy and Having More Time – Understanding what creates balance, how we block or bring it to life, and looking at it in terms of our energy.
Committing to Our Life’s Purpose – Our Why – Embodying our Life’s Purpose, our Why, and how to bring your purpose into the forefront of our life so we live it.
Embodying Pushing Back – Confidence – Bringing Our Voice to the Table – A practice in developing the capacity to experience these qualities.
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns and practices to continue the transformation. Doing mindful and somatic practices to use as your foundation to move into Mastery.
MONTH 12
Closure and Celebration to Your Sawubona Leadership Journey
CLOSURE & CELEBRATION
The importance of reflecting back so we can move forward. Exploring the Hero’s Journey and other cultural model like the Medicine Wheel that point us to next steps. Opening to our breakthroughs & breakdowns and somatic practices to continue the transformation. Envisioning the path ahead, and moving forward on our Global Initiation Project.
Brainstorming: Global Initiation Projects – Sharing Frameworks and Explore Pinholes to Enter and Integrate Change – Roll out is discussed; timelines; and responsibilities for various areas, interaction agreements and more. Cohort leaders and their people start the process of implementation and integration as leaders and as an organization.
Private Coaching Session
Discussing breakthroughs & breakdowns and practices to continue to deepen the transformation. Personal Closure & Celebration – Reflecting back, and Moving Forward.
Here are some of the companies whose leaders have experienced the power and positive impact of Sawubona Leadership and the
“Gift-Centered Approach™.”
SUSAN INOUYE
Before we started on this journey, my department was a mess. Now, I feel like I have a team behind me. Who would have thought that my whole department would change because I changed.
– J. Michael Evans, Senior Vice President & CFO, Norman, Fox & Co.
Susan’s proven track record in transformational change has positively impacted over 600 businesses in forty industries in nearly two decades of working with leaders and their organizations. As an Executive Coach she helps executives see beyond challenges to root causes, and beyond solutions to high impact strategies resulting in dramatic turnarounds, cultural transformations and increased productivity and profitability. Susan’s rich background as an entrepreneur combines with 20 years of business consulting experience to create an innovative, cutting‐edge and holistic approach to coaching that helps executives surpass corporate success to live more vital, balanced and fulfilled lives, both personally and professionally.
To describe Susan’s services as quality would be an understatement. She is a phenomenal business coach who has inspired me, as well as my team, to reach new heights in business while leading with compassion and with a Gift‐Centered Approach. She is a very strong, wise, and centered individual whose coaching style is revolutionary. She has helped me form a culture that I am very proud of at Kiyonna.
– Kimberly Khanbeigi, CEO, Kiyonna
What makes her techniques so effective and the most cutting–edge in her field, is her ability to combine and create powerful transformational methods from the wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience she has gained by working with some of the finest teachers in her field — teachers who were instrumental in her own transformational journey such as Anthony Robbins, Ken Blanchard, Tom Peters, Peter Drucker, Coach John Wooden, Max DePree, Herb Kelleher, James Flaherty, Richard Strozzi–Heckler, Wendy Palmer, Pema Chodron, Depak Chopra, Jack Kornfield and Tony LoRe. Her methodology incorporates practical business wisdom and human development techniques with old wisdom and spiritual practices and then integrates practices of the mind, heart and body that produce ground‐breaking results for her clients.
A recognized expert with Millennials, Susan has helped executives and managers increase levels of creativity and productivity by understanding and knowing how to engage and motivate this generation of unique talents. Through a “Gift Centered Approach™”, Susan has produced exceptional results with millennials and their leaders, leading to numerous consultations, articles, radio interviews, speaking engagements, workshops, and leadership forums. She has been described as “electric” when speaking about the impact of millennials on leadership to organizations such as Young President’s Organization (YPO), USC Women’s Conference, and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) National Conference. This approach to leadership, now in over 30 countries, is the subject of her bestselling book, Leadership’s Perfect Storm: What Millennials Are Teaching Us About Possibilities, Passion and Purpose.
Susan was named one of the “Top 10 Inspiring Women Rocking the Global Business World” by Global Woman. Because of Susan’s deep commitment to community, she has raised funds and actively supports the work of many not‐for‐profit organizations. Her congressperson presented Susan with the Congressional Award for her outstanding participation and contribution to the community and her unselfish and untiring devotion for a better society. These are the values and commitment Susan brings to executive coaching. Coaching is the ultimate expression of Susan’s purpose in life. This passion for her work brings an integrity that helps unite communities and make the world a better place. Susan lives in Los Angeles with her husband Tony. Her clients include: CBRE, Wellpoint, Manufacturers Bank, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Southern California Edison, Fluor.
Susan’s level of preparation and customized content, created specifically to our organization’s needs, as well as her engaging style and calm courage in the face of high‐level challenges we needed to address, won the hearts and minds of even our toughest officers. This not only opened them to see a new way of doing things but also engaged them into taking action on it—as a team.
– Mark Rieck, Executive VP, International Right of Way