Inside-Out Leadership: The Blueprint for Conscious Leaders
Key points
Worst leaders lack self-awareness, prioritize short-term gains, and damage culture through fear and division.
Best leaders are self-aware, share the "why," empower others, adapt to individuals, and care.
Conscious leadership starts inside with self-awareness and values, then moves outside to empower others.
Conscious leaders embody eight mindset qualities that differentiate them from leaders on autopilot.
Think about the best and worst leaders you’ve ever encountered. For me, the worst leader I met pushed people to the brink. They created divisions, micromanaged relentlessly, and instilled fear through harsh feedback. They withheld information and ignored individual personalities and needs. I still recall a moment when this leader, during a retreat, accused me of intimidating them—projecting their own behavior onto me, one of the few willing to challenge them. I didn’t stay long.
In contrast, the best leader I worked with set ambitious goals but genuinely wanted their team to succeed. They shared the strategic “why” behind decisions, empowered others, and adapted their approach to individual personalities. They invested deeply in people’s growth, teaching them to solve problems and find their own paths to success.
The worst leaders lack awareness of their impact. They justify their behavior with short-term business goals, ignoring the damage they cause to culture and team well-being. Their priorities center on power and external stakeholders, leaving little room for nurturing internal growth.
Becoming a Conscious Leader
Becoming a conscious leader requires deliberate effort. You either commit to improving the world around you or remain passive. Conscious leadership begins with self-awareness, coupled with courage and accountability.
A conscious leader strives to have a lasting, positive impact on their team, company, and community. They think deeply about their legacy and focus on sustainable growth. Their actions are driven by four core goals:
Living and realizing their values.
Embracing and promoting change.
Developing people to grow the organization.
Optimizing their impact to achieve outstanding results.
The Four Actions of Conscious Leadership
Conscious leaders embody four actions, each tied to specific values:
The Four Actions of Conscious Leadership.
Source: MindsetMaps International, Inc.
1. Empowering (Accountability and Autonomy)
Help people take ownership of their work and give them the freedom to excel. Empowerment builds confidence and better outcomes.
Actionable Tip: Delegate responsibility with clear expectations and trust team members to deliver.
2. Coaching (Growth and Curious Care)
Guide team members toward personal and professional growth by setting goals, providing support, and challenging them.
Actionable Tip: Ask open-ended questions in one-on-ones to encourage self-reflection and solutions.
3. Sharing (Transparency and Honesty)
Openly share knowledge, resources, and the bigger picture. Transparent communication fosters trust and alignment.
Actionable Tip: Regularly update the team on progress, challenges, and strategic goals.
4. Stretching (Excellence, Innovation, and Improvement)
Encourage teams to challenge norms, take risks, and improve continuously. Stretching unlocks innovation and creative solutions.
Actionable Tip: Set ambitious goals that push individuals slightly beyond their comfort zones.
Mindset and the Leadership Journey
Leadership isn’t a single act; it’s a continuous journey requiring the right mindset to execute actions effectively. Eight key mindset qualities form the foundation of conscious leadership. Together, they create a cycle of growth and progress:
The Mindset Qualities of the Conscious Leader.
Source: MindsetMaps International, Inc.
1. Passionate: Pursue what deeply resonates with your identity and talents.
Example: Michelle Obama demonstrates passion by sharing her personal journey through writing and speaking, inspiring others with her authenticity and dedication to empowering communities.
2. Visionary: Maintain focus on long-term goals and see beyond the present.
Example: Melanie Perkins, co-founder of Canva, envisioned a world in which design tools were accessible to all, driving her platform's revolutionary success.
3. Ambition: Strive for excellence with strong involvement and commitment.
Example: Serena Williams embodies ambition, consistently pushing her limits to dominate tennis and advocating for equity off the court.
4. Determined: Be resolute and emotionally invested in achieving outcomes.
Example: J.K. Rowling exemplifies determination, rising from rejection and personal hardship to create the globally beloved Harry Potter series, becoming one of the most successful authors of all time through sheer perseverance and belief in her vision.
5. Open: Remain curious, respect diverse ideas, and foster trust.
Example: Oprah Winfrey fosters openness by creating spaces for meaningful conversations and embracing diverse perspectives on her platform.
6. Consistent: Align words and actions to maintain trust and credibility.
Example: Tom Hanks demonstrates consistency through his reputation as a dependable, humble, and kind professional, both on screen and in his personal interactions, earning trust and respect across the industry.
7. Accountable: Take responsibility for your actions and lead by example.
Example: Roger Federer exemplifies accountability through his unwavering sportsmanship on and off the court, fulfilling his commitments to excellence in tennis while supporting global education initiatives through the Roger Federer Foundation.
8. Generous: Invest time and resources to nurture the growth of others.
Example: Bill Gates exemplifies generosity by dedicating his wealth and energy to global health, education, and poverty alleviation through the Gates Foundation, transforming lives worldwide.
Final Thoughts: Leadership Is Inside-Out
Good leadership transcends achieving results; it fosters growth, innovation, and fulfillment within the team. It begins with self-awareness and understanding the impact you have on others. To lead effectively, you must first connect with yourself—your values, mindset, and intentions. Only then can you inspire and empower others.
Ultimately, leadership is an inside-out process. So, the question remains: Which kind of leader will you choose to be?
References
Dilts, Robert, Feher, Mickey, The Power of Mindset Change (2023.) MindsetMaps International.
Dilts, Robert, Success Factor Modeling Volume III: Conscious Leadership and Resilience: Orchestrating Innovation and Fitness for the Future (2017), Dilts Strategy Group
