The Breadth and Depth of Vertical Development Efforts and Activities
Over the last two weeks, I have been asked one question at least three times. This question has followed my disclosure that I have been working with a therapist for two years as a part of my vertical development efforts. The question is, “How do you take someone from zero (almost a skepticism of therapy […]
The Four Practices Necessary for Vertical Development
What is Vertical Development? Vertical development is the process of upgrading our own internal operating system so that we operate in more cognitively and emotionally sophisticated ways. It is the process by which we become better. Vertical development is necessary for the improvement of the following characteristics, which I believe we should all aspire to: […]
Vertical Development: Elevating Our Complexity and Dynamism by Awakening to and Expanding our “Modes”
One of the first laws of vertical development for leaders is that as leaders become more vertically developed, they become more dynamic. In this article, I want to make this concept come to life. To do so, let me invite you to introspect for a moment: Over the last 24 hours, what modes have you […]
Do You Lead with Control or Do You Lead with Context?
On of the best leadership books that I have read is No Rules Rules by Reed Hoffman (Netflix CEO) and Erin Meyer. The book is about how Reed Hoffman has created a high-performance culture and organization (Note: the examples and figures in the post either come from or are inspired by No Rules Rules). In […]
An Undervalued Key to Effective Leadership: Possessing a Willingness for Reinvention
Fill in the blank: I want to be a successful/effective/loving ____________________. I imagine that your ‘blank’ was filled with “leader,” “spouse,” “parent,” “manager,” “employee,” “teacher,” or something similar. I want to propose an idea to you: Your ability to become truly successful/effective/loving is contingent on your willingness to reinvent yourself. I am not talking about […]
Leader: You Think You Are Right, But You Are Probably Not as Right as You Think
There was a study of crew coaches (the rowing sport you have probably seen in the Olympics) that confirms several fundamental premises of vertical development: A leader’s vertical altitude dictates what they focus on and prioritize What feels right at one vertical altitude will feel wrong when we operate at a different vertical altitude Specifically, […]
How Awake Are You? The Six Signs that You Might be Asleep
Let’s be real, some people are more conscious, mindful, and present than others. We can also say that some people are more stuck in their own world, narrow-minded, and struggle to connect with the present. For me, one way to describe the differences between these people is that some people are more “awake” than others. […]
Boards of Directors: Consider THIS Before You Select Your Next CEO
When you look at any organization that has radically transformed for elevated success, at the core, you will find the implant of a vertically developed leader.
Vertical Development is Like Improving Our Eating Skills
Vertical development is about upgrading our internal operating system such that we elevate how we make meaning of our world in more cognitively and emotionally sophisticated ways.
Heat Experience: A Necessary Prerequisite to Vertical Development
Heat experiences are events or situations that cause one to question their current mental models and ways of thinking.
