Patricia Berendsen

Looking for a Transformational Leader – Is It YOU?

By Patricia Berendsen M.T.S., RMFT

Patricia Berendsen, M.T.S., RMFT maintains an active private practice in Individual, Couple and Family Therapy and Clinical Supervision in London, Ontario. Patricia also provides clinical services as a Clinician with the Clinical Supports Program at the Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System of the London Family Court Clinic. Additionally she is an Approved Supervisor with OAMFT/AAMFT. She can be contacted at patricia@patriciaberendsen.com.

Absract: What constitutes a Transformational Leader? The authour describes characteristics of a Transformational Leader using the unique strategy of a job posting. The criterion and patterns of an ailing agency are illustrated by the subsequent job description.

Transformational Leader Wanted: A courageous person dedicated to self-knowledge and utilizing the workplace as a passage of self-discovery knowing that in and through our work, we are actually forming ourselves. A visionary who looks to the future yet is committed to embarking on an unscripted journey. A judicious person who does not confuse leadership with a position, title or role and being other focused, shares power freely and willingly. A perceptive individual who values, appreciates and nurtures the inherent potential in every human being. A co-creator of life-giving relationships and interdependent connections which can be sustained during tumultuous and stressful experiences. A thoughtful person who listens carefully to the arguments of resistance in order to hear the inner voice of the organization and then who dares to disturb the system as an advocate for transformational change. A model of vulnerability who moves beyond self-preservation, sharing fears, insecurities and growth areas, yet is confident to act and humble enough to learn simultaneously and attracts others to do the same. An unguarded leader who encourages feedback and welcomes criticism of what he/she is doing. A creative thinker and do-er who embraces failure, honours risk-taking and takes time to reflect on both collective success and collective failure. One who is internally directed and dedicated to purpose finding instead of problem solving. A leader who inspires and invites others to choose transformational leadership for themselves.

Job Description: The selected Transformational Leader will be required to lead a team within an agency directed by self-interested, highly developed egos and extremely hierarchical senior executives. The Transformational Leader will need to navigate the torrential waters of manipulative strategies imposed upon its members by managers, under the guise of “participating conversations,” that serve to only increase distrust of the system. As a Transformational Leader, you will be faced with finely filtered and polished narratives presented at management meetings that do not remotely reflect the reality of the challenges facing front line staff. You will be asked to pierce the bubble of denial – the tightly held belief that the organization is a healthy, thriving environment when all the evidence points to a series of deception and a slow death process that is occurring. You will encounter normative and accepted behavour such as petty jealousy, dishonesty, backstabbing, arrogance, withholding imperative and critical information, “do as I say not as I do” hypocritical mentality, incompetence, intolerance of initiative followed by blaming and shaming tactics. Additionally, you will be working within a team divided against itself with a reputation for swallowing up prospective leaders as well as its own members, particularly anyone attempting to make changes to the status quo.

Please respond to this invitation to Transformational Leadership with your passion for excellence and a hope for a preferred future with this ailing agency.

Transformational Leadership applications can be sent to:

Sinking Ship Human Services
911 Mayday Blvd.
Stormy Seas, Ontario
SOS SOS

© 2007 Patricia Berendsen