Posts by Jessica
The Achiever: Working Hard or Hardly Living?
Stage four of vertical development, the Achiever, is defined by productivity, controlling outcomes, and burnout. Key Takeaways: Achievers identify with the Western culture ideal of working hard, being productive, and improving outcomes Qualities of Achievers include their collaboration skills, drive, and outcome-driven perspective Limitations of Achievers include getting burned out quickly, being emotionally unavailable, and…
Read MoreWhat Does It Really Mean to Be an Expert?
The third stage of vertical development, the Expert, focuses on perfecting skills and being really good in their domain. These are key players for many organizations but face their own limitations. Key Takeaways An Expert is the master of one specific area, and 40% of adults reside in this stage They’re really good in their…
Read MoreWhat Are the 7 Stages of Vertical Development?
Vertical development recognizes 7 stages of personal growth that help leaders mentally and emotionally prepare to guide organizations and themselves through an ever more complex world Key Takeaways: The 7 main stages of vertical development Opportunist Conformer Achiever Expert Redefining Strategist Alchemist The traditional approach to leadership development has been to focus on what people…
Read More5 Benefits of Vertical Development for Business Leaders
Learn why expanding leaders’ capacity is a crucial investment for today’s complex world. Key Takeaways Vertical development is more about thinking, behavior, and beliefs rather than skills and competencies 5 benefits of vertical development: More effective leadership Better business outcomes Self-betterment Linear, mappable progress Versatility We currently live in fast-changing, complex times. There’s a lot…
Read MoreThe Guide to Effective Remote and Hybrid Leadership
Leading a remote team requires you to be agile. Key takeaways: Drive performance without micromanaging Constantly improve communication Find ways to foster connections Build an inclusive team Be flexible and agile The shift to remote and hybrid work had been growing for decades. But the COVID pandemic accelerated that shift and now it’s here to…
Read More7 Characteristics for More Resilient Leadership
Learning how to be a resilient leader helps us adapt to disruptions that are a part of everyday life. Key Takeaways: Three levels of change: Small changes, which can be addressed within minutes or hours Medium changes, which take weeks or a few months Large changes, which are paradigm-shifting life disruptions Resilience allows us to…
Read MoreIf Your Business Wants to Develop Better Leaders, It Needs Vertical Development
The world is increasingly volatile and complex. Businesses need leaders who can think through complex situations and find innovative solutions. Enter vertical development. Key Takeaways: Vertical development focuses on how employees think more than what they know As leaders rise through the ranks, how they think becomes more important to business success than what they…
Read MoreWhat Is the Complexity Crisis? 7 Tips to Lead Through Uncertainty and Rapid Change
How to overcome the biggest challenges in the workplace with 7 lessons from vertical development Key Takeaways Understand the differences between horizontal and vertical development Embrace vertical development over horizontal development to meet the complexity crisis Increase leaders’ capacity for collaboration Seek out multiple perspectives Learn how to hold opposing ideas at the same time…
Read MoreWhat to Expect in Your Coaching Experience
It’s an exciting time! You or someone in your organization is finally getting started with coaching. Naturally, you probably have a lot of questions on what the next steps will entail. In this blog, I outline a typical coach-client experience, so you’ll know what exactly what to expect. Building the Foundation Your first few sessions…
Read MoreIdentifying the Best Coach for You or Your Team
Wow, we’ve covered a lot of ground this series of articles! So far, we’ve talked about what coaching is, demystifying the coaching experience, and the distinctions in coaching. At this point you might be thinking, “Enough already! You’ve sold me on coaching. How do I get myself, my team, or my organization started?” There are…
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