In this book, John Varney explores leadership as a systemic and developmental process. Drawing on his experience in management development, design and experiential learning, he uses the metaphor of the Hero’s Journey to consider how people grow in maturity and influence the systems of which they are part.

Rather than offering a conventional leadership toolkit, the book connects personal development, the Enneagram, shared meaning and collective transformation. It invites readers to look beyond surface-level leadership behaviours and consider the inner development that can make purposeful leadership possible.

The book examines how people make sense of experience, how individuals and teams organise themselves, and how a clearer sense of vision and purpose can shape action. Reflective exercises offer readers opportunities to consider the ideas in relation to their own development.

It may be especially relevant to leadership coaches, facilitators, organisational development practitioners, consultants and managers
interested in a systemic, human-centred approach to leadership.

For readers seeking a reflective perspective on leadership, personal maturity and the creation of meaning at work and in life, Leadership
as Meaning-Making offers a framework for exploring how inner development and purposeful action are connected.

John Varney is founder and chief executive of Centre for Management Creativity, based in the UK. He provides facilitation, methods, products and places for inspiring vision, developing strategy and helping people adopt a creative approach to challenge and change.

John’s early career in architecture culminated in his own small practice in Surrey. As an alpinist, his personal leadership developed through the introduction of many novices to the mountains. Influenced by the philosopher, J.G. Bennett, and inspired by the creativity of the Bauhaus, he decided to pursue his vision of establishing a centre for developing human potential through experiential learning. He set up High Trenhouse as a learning project in 1976 and in 1989 established The Centre for Management Creativity, which has grown into a multi-facetted company with a reputation for getting results.

John is coach, consultant and facilitator to senior management teams of major organisations, as well as to community groups and individuals. His work is in developing attitudes and beliefs for success, building relationships and behaviours, inspiring shared visons and articulating strategies. It embraces inter-company collaboration, strategy innovation, teamwork, authentic leadership, thinking methodology and creativity through team and personal coaching. He is a pioneer in the application of visual thinking methods to enhance educational and organisational effectiveness.