ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Eileen Fisher , CEO and Founder of EILEEN FISHER , is transforming the clothing industry by creating a supply chain which respects human rights and promotes “ radical sustainability .” In addition to working with organic fibers , the company also promotes women and girls from all backgrounds . One of their ways to lift women out of poverty is by sourcing artisanal scarves from cooperatives of women with HIV to promote incomegenerating opportunities in Africa .
In our study of leaders who are creating positive transformations in their companies and the world , we have found that conscious leaders :
• Use language to inspire and innovate
• Work from strengths , and promote the strength of their teams
• Invest in people
• Create a set of values that guide their companies and organizations
• Feed forward
LANGUAGE MATTERS
Each of these leaders uses language to inspire people and to create new paradigms . Greyston has coined the terms “ Open Hiring ” and works on “ pathmaking ” or creating opportunities for all of its workers : pathways to a better future and upward mobility . Eileen Fisher – in her quest to develop a new kind of fashion company and a new way of making clothes – talks about “ radical sustainability .” Most of all , these leaders use empowered language . They are on a quest , which transforms those around them to be fully engaged . Each of us has 168 hours per week . Conscious leaders make every hour count – partly by creating a culture of vision and empowerment .
WORK FROM STRENGTHS
Restorative leaders mobilize teams by encouraging people to lead with their strengths . Each person has strengths but we need to learn how to access , develop , and leverage these strengths . Each strength has both a shadow side and a light side : a basement and a balcony in the words of “ CliftonStrengths ” Finder . Conscious leaders work from their strengths and can leverage the strengths of others to complement their own strengths .
INVEST IN PEOPLE
Restorative leaders invest in training , as a way to motivate , inspire , retain , and reward employees . John Pepper invests in training for all of his employees , as he knows that if his workers are well trained they will be more effective and fulfilled . All Boloco employees receive training on life skills ( including strengths training ) and , if required , English language training . This investment helps employees to interact in better ways with customers . Each worker learns how to receive and give feedback . At Greyston , all employees receive access to training on job and life skills .
CREATE A SET OF VALUES
The leaders we studied lead with values . Jim Koch , the founder of the Boston Beer Company and the iconic brand , Sam Adams , has created a set of values that guides his company . Among these values are : “ we discuss the undiscussable .” These values are used to train all new hires and help guide the company ’ s work . All of the leaders we profiled work to create a culture based on shared values .
FEED FORWARD
Restorative leaders know how to receive and give feedback . We prefer to say “ feed forward ”. Getting and receiving insights helps us to grow and overcome those patterns that hold us back . These leaders create a culture of openness where any employee can challenge decisions and make suggestions . When we work from strengths , it becomes easier to incorporate the guidance of others and to shift future actions and responses .
Please give us feedback on who you think is a good example of a transformational leader . Please write to us at dleipziger @ gmail . com or susan @ susanvibe . com .
Susan Leger Ferraro is social entrepreneur and humanitarian . She is the founder of several companies , including ImagineThat ; Peace , Love and Real Estate ; and G3 , which provides training to companies like Boloco , South Bay , and Greyston .
To learn more : susanvibe . com
Deborah Leipziger is an author , consultant , lecturer , and professor . She advises companies around the world on social innovation , values , human rights , and sustainability .
To learn more : deborahleipziger . com
To learn more about training programs on strengths , diversity , and inclusion and other areas , contact Krysta O ’ Neill at G3 at koneill @ gcubedgroup . com .
15