The leadership pyramid [Podcast 5]

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Nick Drummond talks with psychologist Mats Edin about a model they use which is called the leadership pyramid.The model is inspired by integral philosopher Ken Wilber and describes the relationship between depth and span. Depth refers to verticality or levels of development in human consciousness for example from egocentric, to group-centric, to worldcentric to kosmocentric.

Span is show on the horizontal axis and refers to the number of individuals and groups at each level. The diagram shows that the number of individuals and groups decreases as depth increases.

But the model can also be used to show a flip in perspective from no responsibility to taking full responsibility. At the bottom of the pyramid is a position of having many choices but not talking any responsibility. While at the top is the position of only having one choice which is to participate, and take more and more responsibility in the developmental process we are already a part of.

In the middle of the pyramid we find a barrier for this flip occurring. If we use Spiral Dynamics as our measure of depth, then in the middle we would find the sixth value system Green, expressed negatively, which holds the position: Don't judge! Everything is relative! The result is what Ken Wilber calls "flatland" a worldview that will not distinguish differences in levels of depth. There is nothing higher or anything lower. Everyone is equal. When this happens we find an unnatural hierarchy and chaos in the classroom. When negative Green pretends everyone in the classroom is equal Egocentric Red takes over and everyone ends up at the bottom of the pyramid. But when the teachers and school leaders awaken to what we call a natural hierarchy, they recognize verticality and move from the middle to the top of the pyramid, and all the levels become aligned. When this happens everyone is on their developmental edge, everyone is participating 100%, and in a sense everyone is together in a very natural way at the top of the pyramid.

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Our models are like maps that we can use to orient ourselves. Our best chance for mirroring your reflection and showing where you are is if we point to the middle of the pyramid over moral development. You are here. "Don't judge! Truth is relative!" (according to Green).

"There are as many truths as there are people."

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"I'm not angry at you, I'm angry at what you do."

"It is always both who are to blame when two argue."

"Everything is relative."

Do you recognise these phases?

The top of the pyramid is pointed. It's easy to see how uncomfortable it might seem to be here and how much more comfortable and pleasurable it must be to be in the bottom regions of the pyramid: to be seen, without needing to be responsible.

So who is at the top? We name people like Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, Gandhi, Kofi Annan, Mother Theresa, Olof Palme and you. "Yes you", we say to a group of parents, teachers, or school leaders. Who else should be there if not you? You're responsible for your group of children, are you not? Is there really any difference? Between you and Mandela? Between being responsible for a small group of children or a whole country. Maybe, but the point is that they are depending on you; they trust that you will do what is best for them. They need you to see them. In every moment! Regardless of how you happen to be feeling.  

Here are more expressions that come from the middle of the Leadership Pyramid: 

• I'm a victim!
• It's society that has to change!
• We are all equal!
• I will never accept an idea that doesn't give everyone equal value.
• I am against all forms of elitism and segregation.
• Everyone is right!
• Everything is relative!
• All choices are equally good!
• Who is it that judges what is right anyway?
• Who is it that chooses?
• You write that schools must teach students to make good choices. But what is a good choice? What's good for me doesn't have to be good for you? Everyone is different.
• All children are born inherently good.
• We must place our trust in the goodness that exists in our youth.
• One should be proud that one exists.
• Don't judge or rank other people!
• I think it is very harmful and unwholesome to have children judge themselves or others.
• We are against using a scale to judge teachers, children or behaviour.
• I don't want to be judged!
• Everyone can decide.
• All truths are of equal value.
• Don't think that you are somebody special.
• I will always be proud of my children.
• Love means that you love your children no matter what.
• There is NO higher truth! Everyone has their own truth.
• I question if schools really are in the chaos you describe. Children are children.
• Children have to learn to get along with each other.
• It's good to be honest and show children how you are feeling, then they learn that adults can also have moods and be angry.
• It's wrong to discuss with others how they teach or lead. That's not my responsibility.
• We all need to be seen and praised, especially me.
• I get very angry when you say that teachers avoid taking responsibility and choose to be victims.