What is asked of leaders today?
The conditions for leadership have fundamentally changed.
In a world of volatility, geopolitical instability, AI, ecological crisis and social fragmentation, becoming a better leader through acquiring more skills, developing innovative strategies and practicing particular behaviours is not enough.
To be able to respond effectively to increasing complexity, leaders need to build inner capacities that change how they perceive, relate and act.
🌐 Leaders need to develop the capacity to remain present and responsive when the ground is shifting — to slow down enough to perceive what is really happening, to stay open to uncertainty rather than rushing to control it, and to recognise how their own relational patterns and histories shape the systems they lead within.
Through courageously turning towards the deeper currents of their inner world and meeting tender feelings of loneliness, fear, grief, despair and hopelessness, a new way of being emerges.
🌐 This is leadership that is deeply human: where vulnerability becomes a source of connection, authenticity and shared intelligence. Through moving from rational to whole self leadership, where heart, mind and spirit are included, leaders create the conditions in which people feel safe to express their humanity, perspectives and creativity.
🌐 This is leadership as a relational and embodied practice.
🌐 This is leadership as service — to oneself, to others and to the wider systems of which we are part.
This is the leadership that is so urgently needed.
Testimonials
Sarah Melville - Global Head of Sport, Research & Media, YouGov Sport
"I was introduced to Jane by my line manager who had benefitted from her expertise for many years. I’d never experienced coaching before, but was interested to see if the vertical development process could tell me anything new that I hadn’t already learnt about myself through other personality theories/models.
The results were fascinating and regular meets with Jane have helped to translate the insights into every day actions – not just in professional life, but also at home too. I’ve learnt so much about myself and sharing the learning with friends, family and colleagues has helped me to build more meaningful connections. My extrinsic and intrinsic listening skills have come on leaps and bounds helping me to better absorb the world around me, and learn from the feeling of stretching myself into areas of emotional discomfort.
Jane’s coaching has evolved my mindset and I now welcome new environments as learning opportunities rather than something that needs to be subconsciously controlled or over-managed in order to return to a feeling of familiarity. I now embrace ‘unknowns’ with confidence."
Charlie Dundas: Co-founder, GSIQ
"I have known Jane for over 10 years. At the start of 2022 I took on a Managing Director role. Having been through a similar promotion in the past, but without being fully prepared for the role, I was determined to make sure that I was ready this time.
My initial response to the vertical development process provided a rich pool of data and insight that underpinned 18 months of coaching that has benefitted me enormously, both in my private and professional life.
I recently undertook the process for a second time and can see an incredible leap forward in my personal development. In particular, I’ve gained insight into how my mind works and how I behave and respond to the people and world around me. I am no longer 'caught' by the triggers that have previously caused me issues or concern. I am now equipped with the capacity to recognise and minimise those triggers, thus greatly benefiting my personal wellbeing and improving my relationships at home and in the office.
I appreciate Jane's warmth, candour, wisdom and guidance hugely and can't recommend her and her approach to coaching highly enough."
Rosalie Dores: Leader, Insight Dialogue Community
"The path of personal maturation necessarily takes time. Anything that can support the illumination of blind spots and growing edges in a timely way is invaluable.
I experienced the vertical development process and Jane's expert guidance as just this, a form of quickening, where what may have taken me years to learn became apparent in just one conversation.
The process has offered me greater clarity about my leadership style and highlighted my learning edges in a very useful and practical way.
I would highly recommend the process to anyone interested in taking their growth to the next step."