Kenotic Leadership
Power, Presence, and Performance in a Complex World
Overview
Most leadership models lean on charisma, control, or efficiency. But in a world defined by constant complexity, rising conflict, and leadership fatigue, those models crack under pressure. Kenotic leadership offers a different way forward—one rooted in clarity, disciplined presence, and self-emptying strength.
This talk reframes leadership not as a performance to manage, but a posture to embody. Drawing from conflict psychology, mediation practice, and the historic concept of kenosis, Jared helps leaders rethink how they occupy power in ways that generate trust, stability, and effectiveness.
Core Idea: Strength Through Self-Emptying
Kenotic leadership isn’t about weakness or passivity. It’s about the intentional releasing of what gets in the way: ego, reactivity, certainty, and control. What remains is a leader who carries authority without domination and influence without performance.
Participants learn how to:
Lead with grounded presence, not performance
Use authority without overreaching
Reduce emotional reactivity under pressure
Make decisions with clarity instead of anxiety
Create cultures where people thrive, not comply
Key Teaching Elements
1. Power Reframed: From Possession to Stewardship
Leaders learn how to recognize the weight they carry—and how to hold it lightly without abdicating responsibility.
This shift allows for better decisions and healthier teams.
2. The Leader as Non-Anxious Presence
Kenotic leadership cultivates a steady centre.
Jared teaches leaders practices that reduce workplace anxiety, interrupt escalation, and model calm in moments that matter.
3. The Discipline of Self-Emptying
Kenosis is a practice, not a personality trait.
Participants explore practical methods to empty themselves of what sabotages leadership: defensiveness, hurry, rivalry, and overfunctioning.
4. Leading Without the Mask
Performance culture pressures leaders to posture.
This talk reframes authenticity as a strategic advantage: leaders who are grounded, clear, and congruent create workplaces marked by trust and psychological safety.
What Participants Take Away
Practical Skills
Tools to de-escalate conflict through presence
Techniques to reduce leadership anxiety and restore clarity
Strategies to lead difficult conversations without force or avoidance
Mindset Shifts
Power ≠ control
Presence > performance
Self-emptying is not losing — it’s creating space for wiser leadership
Tools & Frameworks
The Kenotic Leadership Cycle (empty → clarify → act → reflect)
A daily “leadership examen” for self-regulation
A conflict de-escalation posture guide
Why This Talk Matters
Leaders today face unprecedented pressure: organizational complexity, cultural polarization, burnout, and digital noise.
Kenotic leadership offers:
A healthier way to carry authority
A sustainable model of decision-making
A posture that fosters trust and innovation
A countercultural alternative to ego-driven leadership models
It’s leadership for a world where the old playbooks no longer work.
Ideal For
Executives & senior leadership teams
Boards & governance bodies
Pastors, nonprofit directors, and community leaders
HR leaders & organizational health professionals
Mediation & conflict resolution practitioners
