Create and Lead the Team & Culture you'd love to work in

Being a Leadership Fool

This week, I am going back to School. I’m going to learn how to be even more of a Fool!

How ridiculous?? How on earth is this going to help with anything?!

The archetype of The Fool represents a figure that embodies endless curiosity, offering wisdom from an unconventional or “outsider” perspective.

The Fool exists outside conventional structures of authority and hierarchy, and this is a core source of their power, freeing them to question and critique those in power more authentically.

In the context of leadership and power, The Fool (in this case, me - so she/her) offers essential yet often-under-valued contributions, such as:

  1. Challenging Norms: The Fool tends to question established norms and authority - vital when leaders need to innovate and adapt to change. The Fool’s unconventional perspective highlights potential flaws in decisions or policy. She prompts leaders to reconsider their approach by embracing new ways of being and doing.


  2. Courage and Fearlessness: Because the Fool doesn’t take herself too seriously, and is not worried about being right or perfect, she can hold up the mirror, laughing at herself and owning her human fallibility. This fosters a culture of more open dialogue, enabling people to express their thoughts and feelings more authentically. Some people find this embarrassing or uncomfortable, so reject or exclude her, yet the Fool is content not to be everyone’s cup of tea.


  3. Playful Wisdom: Although The Fool may sometimes seem frivolous or light-hearted, she possesses deep insights, often revealing truths that people with conventional power may overlook. When leaders can learn to balance seriousness with creativity, new possibilities for innovation emerge.


  4. Curiosity and Adaptability: The Fool is nimble, adaptable and flexible, embracing the unknown, inspiring leaders and teams to take considered risks. This opens doors to breakthroughs and new opportunities that might be overlooked in more conventional approaches. In a rapidly-changing world, the confidence to improvise and embrace uncertainty can be the key to survival and thriving.


  5. Creating Space for People to be Human: The emotionally-genuine nature of The Fool creates warmth and connection in conversations about serious stuff like power dynamics. The Fool's insights often provoke reflection and self-examination among people with power. By presenting uncomfortable truths in a humble, lighthearted way, leaders are often more open to considering alternative perspectives and making necessary changes.

When power in our world increasingly lies with people who are revered for their "expertise", fame, fortune, influencer or guru status, my heart and soul tell me now more than ever, we need more Foolish Wisdom.

If you want to discover how to bring the power of The Fool into your leadership and teams:

Jeanne Hardacre