Meaning-making & vertical development
A journey through developing perspectives
Why should you focus on your vertical development and understanding of your meaning-making?
At the core of human experience lies the process of "meaning-making," the intricate manner in which we interpret, construct, and understand our experiences and the world around us. This isn't a static or singular perspective. As we grow, mature, and encounter various life experiences, our cognitive and emotional frameworks evolve. We don't just gather more information; we begin to perceive, process, and interact with our environment in increasingly sophisticated ways.
Enter the realm of "vertical development." Unlike horizontal development, which focuses on accumulating skills, knowledge, and competencies, vertical development delves into the transformative growth of our consciousness. It's about how we think, rather than what we think. This growth trajectory, marked by expanding self-awareness and an enhanced capacity to hold complexity, is not about intelligence per se. Instead, it revolves around the deepening richness of our interpretations, the broadening of our perspectives, and the integration of greater self-understanding in relation to the world.
Our method
Two predominant frameworks guide our understanding of vertical development. Robert Kegan's 5 stages of adult development offer profound insights into the evolving orders of consciousness. From the impulsiveness of childhood to the multifaceted awareness of mature adulthood, Kegan paints a journey of self-exploration that resonates deeply with many of our life experiences.
Complementing this is the action logics model by Bill Torbert and Susanne Cook-Greuter. Their framework deciphers the way leaders interpret, react to, and shape their surroundings, especially when faced with challenges. Progressing from the self-centric Opportunist to the system-embracing Alchemist, this model provides nuanced shades to the leadership palette, allowing us to understand leadership actions and reactions in diverse contexts.
At re:lead, we recognize the richness and depth both models offer. By integrating insights from Kegan's 5 stages and the action logic of Torbert and Cook-Greuter, we seek to provide a holistic understanding and roadmap for individuals eager to embark on their transformative journeys of vertical development.
We have gathered a couple of links if you wish to dive further into meaning-making and vertical development
Read our new pilot study (Danish): Er Corporate Danmark i færd med at miste netop de ledere der kan give succes fremover?
Read our series on vertical development: artikelserie om vertikal udvikling
Read more about way of working: How we work
Do you wish to know more or get help to start your own, your team’s, or your organisation’s understanding of meaning-making contact us here or reach out directly to one of our team members.
