In the unprecedented paradigm shift, leadership or management style had to be changed from legacy top to down to a new cooperation with the partnership.
Co-Active is a kind of coined word developed and promoted by CTI: Co-Active Training Institute in US, as a coaching method over the 20 years. In the long and global implementation of the model, Co-Active has been not only for coaching method, but also has been utilized as a co-active based conversations, relationship, leadership or partnership. They all look through the lens of the co-active way. Then the co-active way is a way of effectively empowering people to find their own answers, encouraging and supporting them on the path as they continue to make important choices collaboratively.
Let’s imagine the typical example in the mission-critical project situation. The team leader has many ways to have the conversation. One way is a kind of the traditional one. Asking for a report, analyze the situation, and then provide work direction. Then here’s a different way, a way that is more co-active, collaborative. For the team leader it involves empowering the team member who may be much closer to the actual issues, possibly brainstorming alternative action steps and agreeing on a course of action. In this way the nature of relationship shifts, the context for the conversation is more inclusive and more empowering. It is a kind of invitation to see there is a choice and each has a different impact. There is a wider range of leadership responses available. In this fast-paced world of work, the pressure is on to create more engaged, more proactive, and more empowered members. Waiting for a higher authority or escalating decision making impedes teams that need the agility to respond to chaotic and complex situation. Creating and supporting a co-active way of working together delivers on the imperative and creates a culture of resilience and resourcefulness.
Jun-Spade 