Sustainability of the Self–Harnessing Natural Cycles for Leadership Development

Abstract

Structured Abstract PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to encourage discussion and debate around the idea that in order for deep organisational and societal change to occur, leaders need to change and heal themselves by practicing sustainability of the self and paying attention to natural cycles. Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews contemporary leadership models in relation to sustainability and wellbeing and combines these with an examination of the role of natural and biological cycles in cognition and decision making. FindingsThe paper finds that there is a relationship between natural and biological cycles and leadership performance suggesting that there is a need for leaders to better understand their own cycles and any corresponding impacts. Originality/valueThe paper contributes an understanding as to the influences that natural and biological cycles have on leaders emotions, cognition and performance and offers a model that aligns cycles of leadership with the seasons and cycles of the natural world.