Flat Leadership

During my coach training, we were instructed to “do business flat”.

At the time, I didn't think much of it. I understood it to mean we should be clear and simple when presenting our offers and pricing (which is only partially right).

For example, I may say to a prospective client, “we would work together for six months at $XXX price and you will receive the following resources and services over the course of our partnership. Any questions?”.

There is no wavering in delivery or questioning of scope. It’s simple and clear.

But over the last few years, the definition has expanded and it has become a way of being that I rely on often.

Doing business flat, or flat leadership, is about clarity, neutrality, commitment, and action in our composure and decision making. It is not about cutting off emotionality or humanity from our process of interacting with projects ourselves or others.

Flat leadership requires us to be a professional and mature. It is the result of dedicated work across the future, the present, and the past.

In the future… We must be clear about the commitment that we have for the future version of ourselves or the organization.

In the present… We must be neutral often while others’ emotions are heightened or their behavior is irrational or impulsive. The cool, calm, collected, and nature is a gift to the situation. From here, we can take action aligned to our commitment.

In the past… We have built our capacity to the point that if someone takes an energetic withdrawal, our bank account is full enough that it doesn’t rock our boat or have us question our path. This capacity comes from our well-being practices and our ability to ground (aka use tools to come back to center).

Call to action:

• Define your version of Flat Leadership or Doing Business Flat
• Notice how the leaders you admire and respect display Flat Leadership
• Notice when people are not doing things flat