The Four Path Journey: Building Leaderful Cultures
Aug 20, 2025
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, co-authors of *The ABCs of Murmuration*, we explored one of the most powerful models for creating resilient, collaborative teams: the Four Path Journey. Inspired by the synchronized flight of starlings, this model provides a roadmap for transforming organizations into leaderful communities where every voice matters.
The Four Path Journey moves leaders and teams through four intentional stages:
1. Embrace an Evolutionary Mindset – This means moving beyond rigid hierarchies to recognize that leadership can and should be shared. Different situations require different leaders, and true strength lies in the ability to both lead and follow as needed.
2. Envision Murmuration – Just as starlings move together in harmony without a single leader directing them, organizations can create a culture where everyone understands the shared vision and moves toward it together. This requires leaders to model humility, openness, and inclusion.
3. Explore and Walk a New Way – Awareness, Beliefs, and Connect (the ABCs) form the foundation for this stage. Leaders help their teams become more self-aware, challenge limiting beliefs, and foster deep connections that encourage collaboration.
4. Engage in the Conscious Habits of Thriving – Step Up, Step Back, and Step Together are the daily practices that sustain leaderful cultures. These habits build mutual trust, respect, and a willingness to adapt.
A compelling case study comes from TD Industries, a century-old company that has embedded leaderful practices into every layer of its operations. By embracing these four paths, they’ve built a culture where adaptability, trust, and shared leadership are the norm—not the exception.
Applying the Four Path Journey requires courage. It means letting go of control, creating space for others to lead, and aligning around a shared purpose. But the reward is a team that can navigate challenges with agility and thrive in any environment.
Ask yourself: Which path does your team need to focus on next to become truly leaderful?
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