Dr. Kylie Ensrud

Leaders who embrace the responsibility of being a catalyst for change guides the evolution of others. An effective leader establishes direction on how to act in response to various issues and circumstances, but a great leader can inspire the best from a follower and achieve the highest results by challenging perspectives. Self-awareness, while difficult, provides the courage and humility needed for a leader to evaluate shortcomings, skewed perceptions, and ingrained beliefs realistically.

Without this understanding, it is not possible to be a leader guided by authentic values. Followers are greatly influenced by what leaders do, say, and the actions they take. Leaders who dare to seek new understanding and construct a new framework for how they lead can foster inquiry beyond the level of natural comfort. Discomfort is required for personal growth.

Inquiry guides individuals in defining and creating meaning for how to view the world. Sought for their guidance, leaders must build a reputation for ethical and transformational leadership through transparency, by embracing discomfort, and providing new perspective. Fostering inquiry, leaders inspire their followers to look beyond self-interest and perform and work towards goals together. Many influencing factors impact leadership performance; the key is being honest with oneself when self-reflecting and accepting the reality of how our behaviors and biases are affecting decisions, relationships, and the actions of followers. Through the combination of reflection and discourse, people can make shifts in how they view their experiences. By encouraging others to become uncomfortable, a great leader empowers their followers to see expanded possibilities and gain new perspective on what they are capable of achieving.