We can mention Iain McGilchrist's hemisphere hypothesis. The left hemisphere tends to fix, fragment, categorise and control. The right hemisphere sees the bigger picture, context, relationships, nuance — the living interconnectedness of systems. Leadership today often over-indexes on left-hemisphere traits: metrics, efficiency, short-term wins, control. McGilchrist argues — and we agree — for leadership that integrates detail with vision, privileging the right hemisphere's openness to complexity.

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The metaphor he offers is the Master and the Emissary. The emissary (left) is meant to serve by providing detail, analysis and tools. The master (right) must set the direction by keeping the whole and the purpose in sight. In modernity, the emissary has usurped the master. The leadership we cultivate here is the slow work of restoring the rightful relationship.

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IU takes this further to the realms of the globe. How the different hemispheres of the world have created a split of functioning that can be seen in the same way as McGilchrist’s message.  The western rational and colonial impulse has had profound impact on the way we use words, see ourselves, and governed the economy, social structures and political landscapes.  These too have to shift.  We do not see it in a way of re-creating polarisation and separations, but rather work with the idea of wholeness and inclusion of that which works, while letting go that which has not served. 

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IU also acknowledges that trauma lives in the body: the body of the individual, the family, the team, the community, the organisation, the nation and the land.  A whole systems approach considers all: the skill is to note where the acupuncture points lie and begin there.  Our offerings thus have a profoundly responsive methodology that supports this assessment which becomes the dialogue for change and growth that follows.