STaR Coach Show

361: When Leaders Were Children with Dr. Stephen Barden


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Leadership is one of our core topics here at the STaR Coach Show. Everyone encounters leadership opportunities at points along their journey, and we all need exemplary leadership ahead of us to forge the way forward. A pivotal concept we are exploring today is that what happened in childhood directly links to the way people exercise their leadership as adults. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Stephen Barden is an esteemed strategic, business, and operational partner to corporate leaders and organizations. He works globally coaching clients in the UK, US, Europe, and Asia, following his previous decades of experience at CEO and executive board levels across media, technology, and communication sectors. His thriving private practice began in 2001 with his approach to helping his clients achieve strategic zenith while maintaining ethical integrity. At an individual level, he empowers the leaders and managers he works with to wield their authority effectively. Dr. Barden’s book, How Successful Leaders Do Business With Their World, is a testament to his passion for fostering partnerships between leaders and stakeholders. You’ll hear what his years of research have taught him about how leaders recover, regenerate, and create collaborative and successful environments, along with barriers that leaders encounter. He shares the findings of his fascinating research with leaders about the assumptions they adopted in childhood around the world and their place in it. 

Show Highlights:

  • How Stephen’s research began and played out with leaders in various sectors
  • What the research showed about assumptions formed in childhood around a “friendly universe” and the “balance of power”
  • How Stephen identified the sweet spot of leadership using the navigational stance, partnering stance, and oppositional stance
  • Characteristics of those in a partnering stance: they don’t have huge egos, don’t compete, keep a balanced relationship with the world, and view their organization as an ecosystem
  • Why the basis of all good leadership is curiosity
  • How Stephen works with leaders to uncover their power relationship with the world
  • Why childhood assumptions are not genetic but learned assumptions that can be unlearned and relearned
  • How Stephen sees results with leaders in his work
  • How leaders can be aware and responsive to their needs
  • Why Stephen favors the term “partner leader” over “coach”

Resources:

Need CCUs? Explore The Essence of Mastery Summit and receive $180 off by using “Meg” as your VIP code. 

Explore past episodes and other resources at www.STaRcoachshow.com.  

Explore the STaR Coach Community and see what’s available there for you!

Connect with Dr. Stephen Barden

LinkedIn 

How Successful Leaders Do Business With Their World

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Mentor Program

If you're working toward your ACC or PCC credential, or if it's time to recertify your ACC mentor, coaching isn't just a requirement on a checklist. It's one of the most transformative investments you can make in yourself and your coaching. I've taught or mentored over 2000 coaches, and I hear the same thing again and again. I came because I had to, and I am so glad that I did. Coaches tell me they walk away with renewed energy, deeper confidence and a community of peers who genuinely support each other. Here's what you need to know right now. Mentor coaching must span a minimum of three months, so the time to start is not when your credential is just about to expire. And if you complete your hours in 2026, you get ahead of the upcoming ICF changes, which means peace of mind along with skill development. My fall cohort is already filling up. Every group is capped at ten.

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