Sue Covelli-Buntley and Poyee Chiu of UpSpiral Leadership interview Lyndon Rego. He is the founder of CoMetta, an initiative that seeks to build and revitalize communities through leadership development and innovation. As a former director for the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), Lyndon was at the helm of the organization’s different programs. Most notably, he directed CCL’s Leadership Beyond Boundaries effort to make leadership development more accessible all over the world.

[00:30] Introducing Lyndon Rego

[03:18] Lyndon’s Passion for Creating Change

[12:41] Stages of Leadership

[20:31] Being-Knowing-Doing Framework

[26:00] Leadership Beyond Boundaries

[34:54] Lightning Round: A Series of Brief Questions

[42:35] The Flip: “There is Only One Right Answer”

Lyndon spent his formative years in India. This was during the 70s and 80s, when poverty was much more rampant in the country. He recalls seeing a homeless family near the apartment complex he resided in. The Rego family’s middle-class lifestyle was in stark contrast to how people lived on the streets. At the age of 15, Lyndon recognized that he was in a privileged position to be able to help the disadvantaged. Since then, he has wanted to create a positive impact in the lives of the vulnerable.

As a student at the University of North Dakota, Lyndon spearheaded a statewideevent to raise awareness on global hunger and food security. He took on the responsibility even though he felt inexperienced. The project was a stepping stone in Lyndon’s leadership journey. From feeling inadequate, he realized he was capable of so much more

From his own experiences, Lyndon created a framework for leadership development based on the Indian chakra system. At the most basic level is the acknowledgment of self-worth. Marginalized individuals may feel oppressed and worthless. The first step in becoming a leader is believing that you matter. To progress to the second level of leadership, you must determine what you want in life. Circumstances may lead a person to believe that he or she is powerless to take control of destiny. It’s crucial that you make a decision about the direction of your life.

The third stage is about learning and empowerment, where one must figure out how to achieve his or her goals. A level above that is stepping up to become a leader in the context of others. The pitfall here is that an individual might focus on working solely for the benefit of an organization. To avoid this, remember that social entrepreneurs effect change because they champion causes instead of specific groups.

The next level of leadership is seen in figures like Gandhi, Luther King, and Mandela. Social change leaders support not just one cause. They understand that it is not a matter of who is right or wrong, but rather, people must come together to solve challenges. 

Finally, the highest level in Lyndon’s development framework is demonstrated by spiritual leaders like Jesus or the Buddha. Their contributions withstand the test of time because of how relevant they are. They help us focus on the liberation of self⎯how we live and experience the world. This last stage of leadership brings us back full circle: from beginning with self-discovery to the empowerment of others.

Learn more about CoMetta by visiting their website. Lyndon shares bite sized information, ideas, and thought leadership on his blog. Connect with him on LinkedIn. For more information on becoming an excellent leader, visit the UpSpiral Leadership website, and remember to tune in on the next episode!