I sought a manager and found a human being

Helena Hellström

Chapter 21 in Leadership, Art, and Responsibility, 2026, pp 238-247 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: In this deeply personal reflection, Helena Hellström, a participating manager in the Shibboleth programme, explores her transformative journey through a leadership development experience grounded in emotional and ethical awakening. Initially resistant and sceptical, Helena gradually moved from conventional managerial approaches to embracing a profoundly human perspective on leadership. Through encounters with discomfort, uncertainty, and moral responsibility, she reflects on the profound impact of the Shibboleth programme on her personal and professional life. The programme challenged her understanding of leadership, shifting her focus from technical competencies to engaging with employees on a human level. She realised the importance of empathy, vulnerability, and presence, learning that true leadership lies not in mastering tools or frameworks, but in confronting the complex realities of human suffering, responsibility, and connection. The programme's artistic interventions and difficult content – often unsettling and thought-provoking – helped Helena confront her own emotional and ethical limitations, leading to a deeper understanding of herself as a leader and human being. Helena's narrative underscores the significance of human interaction in leadership and the value of stepping beyond rigid frameworks to cultivate authentic relationships with others. The chapter highlights the potential for personal growth and transformation within leadership education when it moves away from instrumentalism and embraces the emotional and ethical dimensions of human existence.

Keywords: Shibboleth Effect; Shibboleth Performance; Aestemethical Pedagogy; Art-based Encounter; Personal Transformation; Human-centred Leadership; Leadership and Responsibility; Ethical Awakening (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781049403991
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