Enhancing lives with Leadership’s Grand Theory
The charismatic Kenneth-Maxwell Nance does not let us refer to him as a leader. In his own words, he is a Leadership Scholar-Practitioner (Scientist). He is also a groundbreaker – a retired military officer, U.S. Department of Defense; holds top executive positions in international organizations and ministries; and is a certified speaker, coach, and trainer.
A veritable changemaker, he is the Director of Maxwell Leadership Institute and the inspirational Founder behind Leadership’s Grand Theory. LGT endeavors to make leadership the best it can be in our lifetime, to improve the lives/livelihoods of people globally. His upcoming book – Leadership Holy Grail, is among the most awaited worldwide.
“My passion was partially fulfilled after the completion of a 3-year exploratory-sequential mixed methods study. The global study provided part of the scientific basis for LGT. It hurts my heart to see the degradation and harm inflicted on the lives and livelihoods of people by what is actually nominal leadership in the world today.”
Kenneth never set out to lead, yet leadership opportunities continued to find him. His journey began as a cub scout, and then a youth counselor in New York. At 17 years of age, he decided to serve his country, which took him around the world and exposed him to extensive training associated with his electronics aptitude. He was promoted in an international organization and placed over members having 300 percent or more experience than him. He became president of a non-profit organization that raised so much money that it donated to other non-profits to support their community activities and gave reports to a community general. He went on to hold several director, chief executive officer, and chairman positions in various international firms.
As of today, he has completed formal study at a level with less than 2 percent of the world population – a doctoral education from Walden University, and a Public Leadership Credential (PLC) from Harvard Kennedy School.
Throughout his leadership journey, Kenneth has gauged that most of the world is far away from the phenomenon of leadership as intended. “Leadership is a complex multi-triadic relational practice of right-influence and or right-inspiration towards purposes and transcendence,” he defines, adding, “It is not one or the other, but often enough both. There is no need for leadership without purpose. What is the purpose of leadership if there is no followership? However, the reality is that followership may only be momentary and related to the purposes amidst the multi-triadic relations of humans.”
Based in New York, Kenneth’s business portfolio has been a series of foreign-invested companies or greenfield investments. All were initially based in the US to help change the lives and livelihoods of people. All are designed to be a contribution to help some aspect of the society we live in. The latest is a psychological leadership research institute that aims to make leadership the best it can be in this lifetime. It is the home of Leadership’s Grand Theory, the long-sought-after general theory for leadership by a generation of scholars.
In business, Kenneth has always favored a ‘blue ocean strategy’ – which aims to establish a new market space that competitors do not serve. The most difficult aspect of this process is cutting through the existing noise created by the anecdotal responsible for the deficient thinking on the subject and field of interest. Kenneth has met the requirement by remaining aligned with a purpose and the needs of people.
He believes that if the products or services address the needs of society, half the battle is won, while delivering satisfaction to people and fulfilling a life associated with a life’s purpose. In such a context, it is not work or labor but the fulfillment of purpose; sustainable until the last day one can wake up and begin another day full of potential, promise, and possible pitfalls or challenges.
Sharing his personal challenges, he tells us, “Choosing a field of interest that aligns with one’s purpose(s) while caring for people presents challenges. The focus has been on the challenges of clients and others, ranging from hopelessness, suicidal tendencies, and the need for innovative solutions, for which we were equipped to guide and deliver. The fact that there are challenges belonging to others does not make them any less of a challenge for those who care and are actively involved in the interventions and solutions. Pursuing purpose fuels hard work as part of a work ethic, objectives, strategies, and vision.”
A dogged perseverance has seen Kenneth touch the pinnacle of achievement. In addition to being an Entrepreneur, he is a Director and Investor, registered with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) in Asia. With over 4 decades of leadership experience, he is also a Certified Speaker, Coach, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team. In addition, he is a past Teacher, High Court, Republic of Korea; Four term commission, Metropolitan City Government; and Board Member of numerous organizations and societies.
Considering his envious credentials, it should come as no surprise that Kenneth has won every award in the book – 4 awards authorized by the U.S. Presidents, 16 national awards, and 25 commendations for leadership and high performance. A military academy honor graduate, he has also been awarded the General Louis C. Menetrey Distinguished Leader Award, Korea National Police Award, and is a Norwegian Prime Minister Christian Michelsen Bayonet recipient.
After more than 4 decades in the field, what inspires Kenneth to go on, we wonder. He reveals that a part of inspiration for what he does comes from James MacGregor Burns, a leadership scholar, presidential biographer, and Pulitzer Prize winner. However, the greatest inspiration comes from above that endues each with a purpose in life. A key desire and goal is to deliver ‘the best in leadership, towards the best in life’ to an initial class of two million global learners. The same will fuel a mid-term goal of four billion global learners!
Sharing his thoughts, Kenneth reflects, “Humans have innate needs in life. Leaders need to know about and understand how to satisfy relative needs to promote the best in performance, team building, fulfillment of purposes (goals, objectives, and others), and best conditions in life.
When we look at the multiple human-caused crises in the world today, is it possible to conclude that the leadership development taught and paid for in the past decades is not working? There was a badly handled pandemic and disastrous political wars, while mental illnesses and crimes are on the rise. Leadership’s Grand Theory and the first model premised on the theory accounts for that which is explicitly overlooked in 93% of theories and models since 1840. The 7% which come close are greatly improved by LGT despite their weak theoretical foundation. LGT addresses a critical element not addressed in development by 100 % of the theories and models. It delivers the best in leadership towards the best in life for the sake of lives and livelihoods globally. It will not fail if used; no other theory or model can make or has made such a claim.”
