THE BIGGEST ELEPHANT®:
Leadership, Conflict, and the Power of Intention
Conflict is often thought of as something to avoid at all costs. And many leaders do. Our philosophy of “without conflict, we have no need for leaders” highlights the need for developing the approaches and skills to lean into these situations for the benefit of an organization. Based on Edgar Papke’s book The Elephant In The Boardroom, we provide powerful insights into the expectations we have of leaders and the links between leadership, conflict, and the pursuit of innovation. Based on over 30 years of working with and coaching leaders, we explore the unique relationship leaders have with conflict and why they all too often avoid conflict and unintentionally contribute to the lack of accountability and dysfunction that follows. Here, we explore the pursuit of self-knowledge and the advantages that come with understanding one’s personal story, behavior, and the ultimate power of choice. The Biggest Elephant® provides a powerful approach to managing conflict with intention that will leave you thinking differently about your relationship to conflict and more courageously using it to achieve greater levels of success in your life.
Takeaways include:
- Insight into the unique and powerful relationship between leadership and conflict
- The interdependence of innovation, conflict, and self-knowledge
- A deeper appreciation of your own story and patterns of behavior when confronted with conflict
- How to use self-knowledge to engage in using the power of choice
- The conflict management approach of leading with intention and inquiry
- How leveraging conflict results in higher levels of creativity, innovation, and greater levels of performance in business and life
Every Misalignment is an opportunity
With over 30 years of direct leadership coaching experience, we understand that conflict is a natural part of organizational dynamics. Instead of shying away from conflict, our programs empower leaders to lean into challenging situations and harness the energy of conflict for the benefit of the entire organization. By reframing conflict as an opportunity for growth and innovation, leaders can pave the way for sustainable success and heightened performance of their people and organization.
Alignment is the most important conversation of leadership.
- Edgar Papke
The Power of Self-Knowledge and Choice
Central to The Biggest Elephant® philosophy is the concept of self-knowledge and the ultimate power of choice. Through introspection and understanding one's personal story and behavioral patterns, leaders can navigate conflict more effectively and make informed decisions that align with their values and goals. By embracing self-knowledge, individuals can unlock their full potential and lead with intention and purpose.
setting the intention for the relationship
The Biggest Elephant® advocates for a proactive approach to conflict management, one that emphasizes leading with intention and inquiry. By fostering a culture of curiosity and open dialogue, organizations can create an environment where conflict becomes a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and improved performance. As such, our programs equip leaders with the tools and strategies to leverage conflict in a constructive manner that drives organizational alignment and success.
Transforming Conflict into Innovation
We believe that conflict, when properly managed, can lead to higher levels of creativity, innovation, and overall business performance. This is evidenced by our comprehensive alignment coaching and leadership development programs, where we offer practical insights and actionable takeaways for leveraging conflict to achieve greater levels of success in all aspects of life.
Get Started Today!
Want to learn more about The Biggest Elephant® philosophy and how we can leverage this unique approach to enhance your organization? Contact us today and discover the True Alignment® difference!
