Of all the topics covered in my postgraduate degree in Organizational Leadership, I found adult development to be the most fascinating. Coaching and mentoring are tools used to stimulate adult development, refine leadership skills and behaviors, and attain leadership competencies. Adult development refers to how individuals transcend their current level of meaning-making capacity to a higher degree of understanding and complexity.
The term ‘development’ refers to “the expansion in people’s abilities to reflect on and understand their personal and interpersonal worlds made possible by increasing differentiation of one’s self from others and integration of the undifferentiated view into a complex and encompassing view” [2].
How is Adult Development Related to Leadership?
They are intimately related to seeing how adult development levels shape our leadership capacity. “Most developmental psychologists agree that what differentiates leaders is not so much the philosophy of leadership, their personality, or their style of management. Rather, it’s their internal “action logic”- how they interpret their surroundings and react when power and safety are challenged” [3].
Where does adult development intersect with leadership?
- Both are dynamic processes.
- Both are cumulative in that they build upon previous work.
- Both are cultivated through challenges, opportunities, and structured developmental interventions such as self-reflection and evoking awareness through coaching and mentoring.
- Tension or conflict act as catalysts for both.
Adult development theories have evolved throughout history. While their focuses differ, they share several common aspects. They are all:
- Progressive-with each stage building upon the previous stage.
- Dynamic- the stages are fluid; their movement is non-linear and described as spirals or waves.
- Represent adaptive ascent in consciousness [1].
The following article will elaborate on development and give a brief overview of adult development stages.
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I empower busy and ambitious executives, business owners, and professionals to go from existing to living so they can gain clarity on their purpose, unlock their potential, and elevate their leadership. I am a certified leadership Coach credentialed by the International Coaching Federation; I have graduated with Honors with a master’s degree in organizational leadership and am a certified emotional resilience, Mentor and Trainer. The Honor Society of the National University nominated me as a presidential member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. I am also a professional Speaker and published Author. In addition, I have had the pleasure of establishing coaching relationships with leaders from different US-based and international organizations.
References
- Cesarini, T. (2009). Adult developmentand leadership. Retrieved from Essence Leadership: http://essenceleadership.org/papers_files/overview.pdf
- Rooke, D., & Torbert, W. R. (2005). Seven transformations of leadership. Harvard Business Review, 66-77.
- The use of constructive–developmental theory to advance the understanding of leadership. (2006). Th eLeadeship Quarterly, 17(6), 634-653.
