Chapter 2 The Foundation: The First Four Cs
The journey through the 7C Leadership Moral Ambition Compass begins with the construction of a solid foundation. The first four Cs – Confidence, Consideration, Collaboration and Consistency – form the bedrock upon which credible and courageous leadership is built. These are not merely individual skills, but interconnected behaviours that create a stable and trustworthy leadership presence. Mastering this foundational layer is the essential first step of the upward spiral.
Confidence is the starting point of the 7C spiral. It is the inner assurance that enables a leader to act with determination, communicate with clarity and stay the course in the face of challenges. Within the context of moral ambition, however, this is not arrogant or ego- driven confidence. It is a quiet conviction, rooted in purpose and in a history of successes – both small and significant. It is the belief that you have the capacity to create positive change. In the context of moral ambition, confidence has a dual nature. It is not only about having confidence in yourself; it is equally about actively building confidence in others by placing confidence in them. This means delegating meaningful and highly visible work; publicly supporting team members’ decisions even when you might have approached the situation differently; and letting go of control to allow others to lead in their own way. True confidence in leadership is not measured solely by your own self-assurance, but by how effectively you enable others to develop confidence in themselves. This requires a conscious commitment to the fair and equitable distribution of confidence – ensuring that opportunities, responsibility and support are granted equitably to all team members, while recognising and valuing each individual in their diversity.
NEUROSCIENCE INSIGHT: WHY CONFIDENCE IS ESSENTIAL
By creating psychological safety, leaders reduce threats related to status (fear of appearing incompetent) and increase autonomy (permission to take initiative). Psychological safety is a cornerstone of high-performing teams. When the brain’s threat response is calmed, the prefrontal cortex can fully engage in creative problem-solving. A sense of competence directly influences motivation and resilience. Research conducted by the NeuroLeadership Institute shows that psychological safety activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and enhancing learning and collaboration
Confidence: The Foundation of Belief
Principle: The ability to trust your own judgement while actively strengthening the confidence of others – by placing confidence in them, delegating meaningful work, supporting their decisions, and recognising and valuing the richness of their diverse perspectives, regardless of cultural, social or geographical background, identity, professional experience or seniority, communication styles, ways of thinking or capabilities.
10 THE 7C LEADERSHIP COMPASS FOR MORAL AMBITION 2025 JONATHAN NORMAND. CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE
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