Making Leadership Development Accessible Through Reflexive, First-Person Practice: Increasing Awareness of Interconnection, Wise Action, and Conscious Living

This first-person study explored the question, “How might developing my reflexive, conscious, and wise relational leadership enhance my capacities to support others’ leadership in the world?” In support of collective wellness and equitable action, the study emphasizes Etuaptmumk, the Mi’kmaw concept of two-eyed seeing or the gift of multiple perspectives. With an emphasis on diverse viewpoints, interdisciplinary streams of thought are integrated throughout the research design. To balance structure and autonomy, the study is underpinned by a theoretical framework inspired by an Indigenist approach of relationality, Theory U presencing, and Collaborative Developmental Action Inquiry. Relevant literature investigated three interconnected aspects of how individuals come to know and act in the world, including how we construct knowledge through worldview and ways of knowing, evaluate knowledge through critical thinking and epistemic cognition, and understand ourselves through self-concept and self-awareness. Adhering to the Royal Roads University Research Ethics Policy, various qualitative methods were used, including prompted and free-flowing journalling, video self-interviews, and feedback partner dialogue. The research suggests that questioning internalized beliefs, fostering wise learning, and partnering learning with frameworks and intentional action can make leadership development more accessible and effective. Specific tools to foster wise, relational learning are included. Keywords: first-person action research; relational leadership, Etuaptmumk; accessible leadership development; conscious leadership; leadership development tools.

Author dc:creator

• Ohama, Jodi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Nelems, Rebeccah

• School of leadership studies

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/ir-19782

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28169