Founder Board Recap
On Wednesday, November 6, a dedicated group of founders braved the snowy weather to gather at CU Denver for the latest Founder Board meeting. The session, filled with insights, support, and a few memorable moments, offered founders a collaborative space to connect, reflect, and tackle their biggest challenges. Here’s a recap of the day’s highlights:
Exploring Leadership Through the Vertical Leadership Model
We kicked off the meeting with a group exercise focused on the Vertical Leadership Model, a framework designed to help founders reflect on their leadership styles and uncover both strengths and potential blind spots. This exercise encouraged each participant to take an honest look at their approach to leadership, from handling stress to making strategic decisions. By sharing perspectives, founders gained valuable insights into how their leadership styles impact both their teams and their own growth trajectories.
The discussions were candid and eye-opening, with founders sharing challenges and realizations about areas where they could develop greater resilience or adaptability. As part of this exercise, we emphasized the importance of self-awareness and openness, especially for those in high-stakes, high-pressure environments.
You can find the excercise here—> Founders Challenge Exercise
Checking In: What’s Calling Our Attention?
Following the leadership exercise, we spent time discussing what was currently capturing our attention. Founders shared updates on their businesses, discussed the unique challenges they were facing, and provided mutual support and feedback. The conversation was diverse, covering topics like business scaling, personal development, and time management.
It’s time to GSD!
This check-in highlighted both the personal and professional aspects of founder life, underscoring the need for balance and resilience. It became clear that many founders are juggling multiple priorities, not only within their businesses but also in their personal lives.
A Lesson in Patience – Waiting for Sandwiches!
No founder board meeting is complete without a few hiccups. This time, it came in the form of a delayed lunch order. While we waited (and waited!) for the sandwiches… Freaking Snarfs!
The Future of the Founders Board
One key topic on the agenda was the future of the Founders Board. Chris announced that, going forward, he would offer half-priced coaching for any board members interested in additional support. While the board will transition to a paid format to cover room and food costs, the focus remains on accessibility and value. This small contribution ensures that founders can continue to benefit from high-quality sessions in a supportive environment.
Reflecting on the Day
Despite the snowy weather, the energy in the room was warm and collaborative. Founders left with actionable insights, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. As we continue building the Founders Board, it’s clear that this community is more than just a monthly meeting—it’s a lifeline for entrepreneurs navigating the highs and lows of building impactful businesses.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Founders Board evolves. We’re looking forward to welcoming even more founders into this unique, BS-free space where real conversations and real growth happen.
Thank you to everyone who attended, and here’s to building a strong community of resilient, growth-focused founders!
More info on the vertical development model…
Making the Case for a Developmental Perspective
Author: Dr. Susanne R. Cook-Greuter, Cook-Greuter & Associates
Abstract:
The paper introduces a developmental framework called the Leadership Maturity Framework (LMF), which provides a way to understand individuals’ evolving “action logics,” or systems of meaning-making, as they develop from conventional to postconventional thinking. It argues that leadership and organizational effectiveness are enhanced by recognizing and fostering these developmental stages in individuals.
Key Concepts:
1. Horizontal vs. Vertical Development:
• Horizontal Development: Expanding within the same stage through skills, knowledge, and behaviors.
• Vertical Development: Transformation of perspective, enabling individuals to interpret the world in more complex, integrative ways.
2. Developmental Theories in Organizations:
• Traditional personality assessments (e.g., MBTI, Enneagram) categorize differences but do not fully capture growth in complexity over time.
• Developmental theories explain how worldviews evolve from self-centered to world-centered, enabling leaders to respond to complex, changing environments with flexibility.
3. Leadership Maturity Framework (LMF):
• Based on research by Torbert and Cook-Greuter, the LMF categorizes nine stages of adult meaning-making, from preconventional to transpersonal.
• It outlines seven action logics common in organizational contexts: Opportunist, Diplomat, Expert, Achiever, Individualist, Strategist, and Magician.
• Each stage incorporates and transcends the previous, with postconventional stages supporting higher adaptability and better decision-making.
4. Benefits of a Developmental Perspective:
• Leaders at later stages (postconventional) demonstrate a more nuanced understanding of self, others, and systemic interactions, leading to enhanced organizational outcomes.
• Tailoring feedback and coaching to an individual’s action logic enables more effective personal growth and conflict resolution.
• Developmental frameworks help align individuals with roles that match their current capacity and facilitate transitions to higher stages.
5. Application in Training and Development:
• Developmentally tailored interventions address both horizontal skill-building and vertical transformation, fostering leaders capable of handling the demands of a rapidly evolving global society.
Conclusion:
Cook-Greuter’s paper highlights the importance of developmental thinking in organizations, suggesting that understanding and nurturing vertical development can significantly impact leadership and organizational success. The LMF offers a valuable tool for evaluating and fostering leadership growth that adapts to complex challenges.
