How I develop inner sustainable leadership | Eva Rutten | TEDxLeeuwarden

Summary

In this reflective monologue, the speaker explores how childhood behaviors shaped their leadership style, using the metaphor of a bus to represent their various inner selves or 'Mees.' They highlight how dominant traits, shaped by seeking approval, influenced their career. The speaker discusses the importance of balancing these dominant 'red Mees' with supportive 'green Mees,' such as self-care and morality, to lead sustainably. The message encourages self-awareness, openness, and inner dialogue to foster personal growth and leadership, while emphasizing the role of sustainable leadership in addressing broader societal challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on how, as a child, they developed behaviors to seek attention, particularly from their father, and how these patterns continued into adulthood.
• 😀 The speaker introduces the concept of 'Miis'—different versions of oneself or 'selves'—and explains how they use this model to understand their behaviors and personal growth.
• 😀 The speaker describes the 'bus' metaphor, where different 'Mees' sit at the front or back, influencing decisions and actions in life and work.
• 😀 There are dominant 'red Mees' that often control actions and behavior, such as the 'Tough Cookie' or the 'Fix-It' person, which the speaker identified in their early career.
• 😀 The speaker also highlights 'green Mees' that tend to be quieter, including the moral compass, insecure self, and self-care Mees, which are often neglected in favor of the dominant red Mees.
• 😀 Over time, the speaker worked to develop personal leadership, becoming more aware of and nurturing their green Mees to create a more balanced and sustainable self.
• 😀 Through coaching and reflection, the speaker learned to manage their 'bus' better by allowing the red Mees to take a backseat and fostering the growth of the green Mees.
• 😀 The speaker’s transformation involved learning new skills, such as continuing education, and becoming more aware of sustainable business practices and moral principles in leadership.
• 😀 A key theme is the importance of opening up the internal dialogue between different 'Mees' to enable change and find solutions to challenges both personally and in business.
• 😀 The speaker encourages others to reflect on their own 'buses' and how they manage the different 'Mees,' as understanding these internal dynamics can lead to more effective leadership and collaboration.
• 😀 The speaker concludes with a call for new leadership styles that are aware of internal selves and the broader system, aiming to achieve the 2030 sustainable development goals by fostering open communication and mutual understanding.

Q & A

What is the core concept behind the speaker's personal development journey?

The core concept is about understanding and acknowledging the different 'selves' or 'Mees' within the speaker. These selves drive behavior in various aspects of life, and by becoming aware of them, one can achieve sustainable leadership and personal growth.

How does the speaker describe the different 'Mees' within themselves?

The speaker describes their 'Mees' as various personas or voices inside them, each representing different behaviors, attitudes, or coping mechanisms. Some are dominant and influential (red Mees), while others are quieter and more passive (green Mees).

What does the speaker mean by their 'bus' metaphor?

The 'bus' metaphor represents the speaker's inner self, with the driver being the core person or leader. The different 'Mees' are passengers on the bus, and the ones seated at the front are the dominant influences. The goal is to manage the bus effectively by balancing the voices of all the 'Mees'.

What does the speaker suggest about how people react to change?

The speaker suggests that people often resist change due to the dominance of their red Mees, which are focused on maintaining the status quo. However, when green Mees are acknowledged, they can help identify opportunities for growth and adaptation to new ways of thinking or working.

How does the speaker's personal development relate to their professional journey?

The speaker's personal development involves recognizing and managing their 'Mees', which parallels their professional journey. Initially, they adopted certain dominant red Mees to succeed in business, but over time, they began to value the green Mees, which helped them achieve a more sustainable and balanced approach to leadership.

What are some examples of red Mees described by the speaker?

Some examples of red Mees include the 'Tough Cookie', the 'Fixer', and the 'I Do It My Way' Mees. These Mees are dominant and focused on achieving goals quickly, often at the expense of self-care or collaboration.

What is the significance of the speaker's 'green Mees'?

The green Mees represent softer, more reflective parts of the speaker's personality, such as their moral compass, insecurity, and self-care. These Mees encourage self-awareness, collaboration, and sustainability, contributing to a more balanced and effective approach to leadership.

How does the speaker handle their red Mees now compared to before?

Now, the speaker manages their red Mees more consciously. For example, the 'Tough Cookie' is kept in check and only comes out occasionally, while the 'Fixer' has learned to take time and think before acting. The speaker is more thoughtful and aware of how these red Mees influence their behavior.

What is the role of sustainable leadership according to the speaker?

Sustainable leadership, according to the speaker, involves understanding and managing both the red and green Mees inside oneself, and creating an environment where these Mees can work together to achieve long-term goals. It also involves creating a seating plan for the bus that supports agility and adaptability to change.

What example does the speaker provide about a professional situation involving mismanaged 'Mees'?

The speaker shares an example of a finance manager who was driven by an 'I Want to Win Now' Mees, which led to conflict and a lack of collaboration. By understanding and addressing the influence of this red Mees, the manager could have handled the situation more effectively.