Leadership Journey: Fulfillment Beyond the Pursuit of Happiness

As leaders, we often find ourselves caught in the endless chase for happiness and fulfillment. We strive for the next promotion, tackle high-stakes projects, and seek recognition, believing that each achievement will deliver that shiny feeling of success. Yet, after reaching these milestones, the satisfaction is often fleeting, and we start searching for the next big thing. It’s like chasing a mirage—always moving forward, yet never truly arriving.

What if this pursuit isn’t about running after something at all? What if, instead, happiness is something we create from within?

As I immerse myself in practices and training within Shamanic traditions, I’m uncovering a profound truth about the concept of the journey—a journey that directs us inward, guiding us to seek answers within ourselves. Shamans teach that we each hold the key to our own happiness, an idea that challenges the conventional pursuit of titles, accolades, and external success. Instead, it invites us to look beyond outward achievements and turn inward to cultivate a deeper, more enduring sense of joy.

By embracing this inward journey and connecting with our energy centers—the chakras—we unlock a powerful framework for cultivating fulfillment that comes from within. Each chakra offers insights and practices to help us not only lead with purpose but live with deeper joy. Here’s how you can explore the chakra system and continue your journey inward, cultivating fulfillment as you go.

The Root of Stability

In the fast-paced world of leadership, we often equate stability with financial success, job security, or even the perception of control. But true stability comes from feeling grounded within ourselves, regardless of what’s happening around us. The Root Chakra, located at the base of the spine, provides this grounding. When balanced, it helps us feel secure, connected, and capable of handling life’s demands.

On a personal level, cultivating this stability can mean taking time each morning to walk outside, feeling the earth beneath your feet. At work, it might involve grounding rituals, like starting meetings with a moment of mindfulness to set a calm and focused tone. Imagine yourself as a tree with deep roots, drawing strength from the ground and remaining stable, no matter how turbulent the environment may become. When you’re grounded, you create a stable foundation for your team and loved ones, leading with calmness and clarity.

Rediscovering Joy

As leaders, we often tie our happiness to career accomplishments, believing joy will follow success. Yet true happiness isn’t tied to external markers—it’s about reconnecting with the things that bring us genuine joy. The Sacral Chakra, located below the navel, governs this experience of joy and creativity.

Think about the last time you allowed yourself to enjoy something purely for the pleasure it brings, without it being tied to work or productivity. Maybe it’s picking up a hobby you used to love, like painting, or dancing, or spending time with family and friends in a way that rejuvenates you. Professionally, this could look like infusing creativity into your projects, embracing innovation without focusing on the outcomes. By rediscovering small moments of joy, we bring a renewed sense of enthusiasm to both our personal and professional lives, radiating energy that impacts everyone we interact with.

Embracing Inner Strength

Many of us have been conditioned to tie our self-worth to external accomplishments. Promotions, awards, and recognition may validate our capabilities, but they don’t always reflect how we truly feel about ourselves. The Solar Plexus Chakra, located in the upper abdomen, governs self-worth and personal power. When this chakra is balanced, we feel confident and secure in our abilities, independent of external approval.

A powerful practice is to begin each day by acknowledging your own strengths. At work, this might mean taking ownership of your achievements, recognizing the value you bring, and confidently expressing your ideas. Personally, it could mean standing up for yourself, setting boundaries, or affirming your worth with simple statements like, “I am enough” or “I trust in my path.” As you embody this inner strength, you begin to influence those around you—empowering your team to also recognize their worth and share their unique talents.

Connecting Through Compassion

In our quest for success, we sometimes lose sight of the meaningful connections that truly fulfill us. The Heart Chakra is the center of compassion and love, reminding us that happiness often comes from the relationships we nurture.

Personally, this might mean taking time to truly connect with loved ones, listening without distraction, and expressing gratitude. In the workplace, it can mean fostering a compassionate culture by recognizing team members' contributions and encouraging collaboration over competition. Try beginning each meeting with a “gratitude moment,” where everyone shares one positive experience from the week. Leading with compassion strengthens your relationships and creates a more supportive and inclusive work environment.

Expressing Your Authentic Self

Leadership can sometimes feel like performing a role, where we put on a facade that fits the situation or the expectations others have of us. However, true fulfillment comes from the freedom to express our authentic selves. The Throat Chakra governs self-expression and encourages us to share our thoughts openly and truthfully.

On a personal level, expressing yourself authentically might mean having an honest conversation with a friend or family member, and sharing your dreams and fears. Professionally, it could mean voicing your true opinions in a meeting or advocating for a project you feel passionate about. Embrace practices like voice journaling—take five minutes to speak your thoughts out loud, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and authentic. When you lead with authenticity, you empower others to do the same, fostering an environment where everyone’s voice is valued.

Tapping into Your Inner Vision

The Third Eye Chakra, located between the eyebrows, is tied to intuition and insight. In leadership, we often seek external guidance and overlook our own intuition. But when we trust our inner vision, we find clarity and purpose that goes beyond any title or accolade.

On a personal level, tuning into this inner vision might involve spending quiet moments reflecting on your dreams and aspirations. At work, it could mean envisioning your team’s future or a project’s potential, allowing yourself to tap into your intuition as you make decisions. Visualization exercises are helpful here—picture a version of yourself that embodies fulfillment and peace, and focus on how that vision feels. By connecting with this vision, you guide both your personal and professional actions with a sense of purpose and clarity that inspires those around you.

Finding Purpose Beyond Professional Success

At the top of the chakra system is the Crown Chakra, which represents spiritual connection and purpose. It reminds us that fulfillment transcends professional success and is ultimately about contributing to something larger than ourselves.

In your personal life, this could mean dedicating time to activities that connect you with your community or with a cause you care about. Professionally, it’s about understanding how your work contributes to the larger mission. Set aside quiet moments to visualize a white light connecting you to a greater purpose, letting this energy flow through you. This practice reinforces that your impact isn’t limited to the projects you complete or the accolades you receive—it extends to the lives you touch, the relationships you build, and the legacy you leave behind.

The Leadership Journey Within: A Path to Lasting Fulfillment

True fulfillment doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing. It comes from the courage to turn inward and cultivate happiness from within. By embarking on this inner journey, aligning with the chakras, and drawing on the wisdom of the shamanic path, we discover that fulfillment isn’t something we must attain—it’s something we have the power to create every day.

As leaders, when we stop searching for happiness outside ourselves and instead nurture it within, we become more grounded, compassionate, and resilient. We learn that happiness is not a fleeting milestone, but an enduring state we can cultivate through our choices, actions, and self-awareness.

So, rather than seeking fulfillment in the next promotion, project, or accolade, start creating it within. The fulfillment you’ve been searching for has always been with you, waiting to be embraced. By stepping onto this path, you’ll not only enrich your own life but inspire those you lead to discover the same power within themselves.

In the end, happiness isn’t something to be chased—it’s something to be lived.

Dr. Zohra (Zo/Z) Damani is an author and a seasoned Talent Development Leader with over 15 years of experience. She is a Certified Coach and is currently undergoing Shamanic Practitioner Training in Scotland. In addition to her coaching credentials, she is a trained Yoga Teacher (Hatha & Yin). Zohra brings a unique blend of expertise and a holistic approach to talent transformation and organizational development, integrating mindfulness, spiritual practices, and personal growth into her professional practice. Her diverse skill set allows her to address the needs of individuals and organizations from multiple dimensions, fostering growth and transformation on both personal and professional levels.