About
The most effective leaders are deeply aware of how their presence impacts every dimension of their leadership. This guide shows leaders in any organization how to move beyond the daily noise of your environment and connect with people to bring about change where it matters most. Featuring interviews with world-renowned leaders and thinkers, from Richard Rohr (contemplative teacher) to Margaret Wheatley (author of Leadership and the New Science) and Matthew McCarthy (former CEO of Ben & Jerry’s), this book provides a framework for understanding how best to connect with who we are and with those whom we lead.
In The Contemplative Leader, psychotherapist, leadership consultant, and executive coach Patrick Boland integrates ancient wisdom with scientific research. He introduces psychological models, anecdotes, reflective questions, and innovative practices that outline how to: Re-envision leadership as something that takes account of the breadth of human experience. Uncover the narratives that have shaped us so we can embrace our whole self (false self and true self). Focus on both the financials and the people, the results and the road that gets us there, the personal benefits and the impact on the wider organization and community.
Whether you are a seasoned leader in need of a reset to connect with what’s most important, new to leadership and looking for some “soul” work to do to develop authentic influence, or seeking to integrate beneficial practices into your active roles inside and outside of work, The Contemplative Leader is a comprehensive guide to shaping relationships and systems to use your power and influence for good.
Patrick Boland
Patrick’s approach to life and leadership development can be summarised by the words ‘presence’ and ‘connection’. He is deeply motivated to form meaningful connections with leaders that empowers them to uncover their own sense of contemplative presence. Connecting with our most authentic selves and having the courage to lead from this place of grounded awareness, is what inspires Patrick in all his coaching and consultancy.
Patrick’s background is in Strategy and Human Capital consultancy and Education, and he has been involved in a variety of leadership development, training, and executive development roles since 2005.
He founded Conexus in 2013 and since then has worked with senior teams and leaders in global organisations ranging from Google to Unilever, the LEGO Group to Citi, Accenture to Salesforce, AIB to ING bank. He continues to consult and write with Richard Rohr at the Centre for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico.
Patrick’s TEDx talk, ‘Failure, and the importance of mentors’ can be viewed here.
-
Education
Patrick holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) International (1:1, University College Dublin), a Master of Science (MSc) in Guidance & Counselling (1:1, Dublin City University) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Executive Coaching (Distinction) (Association for Coaching). He also holds a Post-graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy (1:1, Institute of Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dublin), a Post-graduate Diploma in Theological Studies (1:1, St Patrick’s College, NUI Maynooth), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (2:1, Trinity College Dublin).
Memberships
As an Executive Coach, Patrick is a member of the Association for Coaching (MAC). As a psychotherapist, he is a member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP). He is also a registered psychometric tester with both the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and the British Psychological Society (BPS), holding the Occupational Personality and Occupational Ability qualifications (formerly known as Level A and Level B). Patrick uses a variety of psychometric tools with individuals and teams, including the Emotional Capital Report (ECR), Belbin Team Roles, Enneagram and MBTI.
Mindfulness
In 2016 Patrick trained as a Mindfulness in the Workplace trainer in the UK during a residential programme with The Mindfulness Exchange, an offshoot of the Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry training programme under Prof. Mark Williams. He takes individuals, groups and teams on formal and informal training and mindfulness coaching that reduces stress, increases workplace productivity, and promotes effective decision-making. When helpful, this approach is integrated into individual coaching sessions.