Emergent Leadership: Applied Mysticism for Complex Times by Robin Alfred

What I like about this book is that it explores leadership through multiple frameworks – including evolutionary, emergent ones – opening paths that make the mystical dimensions of leadership accessible and practical without overwhelming the reader.

Robin shares the experience of leadership through three lenses: Foundational Awakenings, Self as Instrument and Realms of Leadership. These three parts of the book act like pivot points, shifting our perspective on leadership: from definitions of leadership, mysticism and trauma, through a lifetime of leadership emergence, and into the many environments in which leadership is practised—all while embracing the language of spirituality and soul.

Each of the three or four chapters in a part is tantalizingly illustrated with Reflections, Exercises and Practices drawn from Robin’s own life as a leader. Many aspects of leadership are also explained through simple diagrams that help the reader relate visually to the narrative.

I appreciated that Robin connected his observations to key authors who had influenced his views of leadership. He reveals a multi-lineage set of guides that adds colour and deepens insight into the dynamics of a leader’s journey – like combining Ken Wilber’s theory of human development – waking up, growing up, cleaning up and showing up – with Jude Currivan’s lifting up and linking up (or synching up).

Robin curates an entertaining “theatre of leadership” with generous references to his work with Richard Olivier’s Mythodrama – citing insights from Shakespearean plays and Greek theatre. In addition, he shares inspiring lessons from his life at Ecovillage Findhorn along with peppering the text with his favourite poems and memorable quotations.

This book engages the soul of leaders with compassion for the trauma that all leaders must recognise—both the trauma they have survived themselves and that carried by those they lead. The last chapter invokes the sangha that can accompany leaders in these turbulent times of complexity. It concludes with an admission of an addiction to sacred activism and a confession of the power of not knowing, while reminding leaders to savour the world so they are ready to save it.

Find details about the book here.