Traditional definitions of leadership focus on charisma and position. But most people in any given organization don’t have formal leadership. Most of us aren’t brimming with charisma, either. Does that mean you can’t be a leader? NO! In fact, you can exhibit leadership no matter where you are in the organization. (No, this does not mean sucking up to your boss.) In this talk, Esther will explore a definition of leadership that doesn’t rely on either role or rah-rah. And she will talk about what that sort of leadership looks like when you are a member of a team, a manager, or at the top of the hierarchy.

About the speaker:

Esther Derby draws on four decades of experience leading, observing, and living organizational change. She works with a broad array of organizations. Her clients include both startups and Fortune 500 companies. Based on experience and research, her approach blends attention to humans and deep knowledge of complex adaptive systems. Esther has been called one of the most influential voices within the agile communities when it comes to developing organizations, coaching teams, and transforming management. Her work over many years has influenced coaches and leaders across many companies. Esther started her career as a programmer. However, over the years she’s worn many hats, including business owner, internal consultant, manager, and team leader. From all these perspectives, one thing was clear: individual, team and even organizational success depends greatly on the work environment and organizational dynamics. As a result, she’s spent the last twenty-five years helping companies shape their environment for optimum success. Her formal education includes an MA in Organizational Leadership and a certificate in Human Systems Dynamics. She’s trained as a Satir Mentor Coach. She’s also the host of the popular podcast, Change by Attraction.