Risk & Business Magazine JGS Insurance Magazine Spring 2019 | Page 11

RESTORATIVE LEADERSHIP 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 income-generating 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 • Feed forward Create a set of values that guide their companies and organizations 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. 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 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 11 11