What is Conscious Leadership?

I love reading about and researching leadership. Since the beginning of mankind, we have had both leaders and followers. There is nothing good, bad, right or wrong about wanting to lead....just as there is nothing good, bad, right or wrong about wanting to follow. As a professional behavioural profiler, I can tell you all about why some people prefer to lead whilst others don't. We all have our own war stories of poor leaders ... just as we also have our own personal role models of leadership. In all my experience as a seasoned CEO and across all my research, there is one style of leadership which I consider to be universal, a one size fits all. That's a big call, I know. Read on about "Conscious Leadership" and decide for yourself.

"A conscious leader is someone who understands their role in creating a world that works for everyone and takes action to make it happen." - Gabrielle Bernstein

What is Conscious Leadership?

Conscious leadership is a style of leadership that involves self-awareness, mindfulness, and a deep sense of purpose. It's based on the idea that leaders who are conscious and intentional about their actions, decisions, and interactions can create positive outcomes not only for themselves but also for their teams, organisations, and society as a whole.

Conscious leaders are guided by a set of values that prioritize the well-being and growth of their people, the sustainability of their business, and the impact they have on the world. They are empathetic, compassionate, and able to connect with their teams at a deeper level. They also encourage creativity, innovation, and diversity of thought, creating an environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued.

Conscious leadership is not just a personal philosophy, but also a practical approach to business that can help organisations thrive in a rapidly changing world. By focusing on the long-term impact of their decisions, conscious leaders are able to build resilient and adaptive organisations that can navigate complex challenges and create meaningful change.

"Conscious leaders are self-aware, committed to personal growth, and have a deep sense of purpose and integrity that guides their decisions and actions." - John Mackey

What’s the opposite of?conscious leadership?

We best learn through contrast. So what's the opposite of conscious leadership?The opposite of conscious leadership can be described in different ways, but some common terms used to describe it include unconscious leadership, ego-driven leadership, or reactive leadership.

Unconscious leadership refers to a style of leadership where the leader is unaware of their impact on others, lacks self-awareness, and acts on autopilot or habit without intentionality or reflection. This can lead to a lack of empathy, poor decision-making, and a negative impact on the organisation and its stakeholders.

Ego-driven leadership is a style of leadership where the leader is primarily motivated by their own self-interest, prestige, or power. This can lead to a lack of concern for the well-being of others, a focus on short-term gains, and a disregard for ethical considerations.

Reactive leadership is a style of leadership where the leader is constantly responding to external events, crises, or pressures, without a clear vision or strategic plan. This can lead to a lack of direction, inconsistency, and a failure to create a positive impact.

Overall, the opposite of conscious leadership is characterised by a lack of self-awareness, empathy, and purpose, and a focus on self-interest, short-term gains, and reactive behaviour.

"The role of a conscious leader is to inspire and empower others to become the best version of themselves and create a positive impact in the world." - Lorna Rasmussen

How to become a conscious leader?

Becoming a conscious leader requires intentional effort and a willingness to learn and grow. Here are six steps you can take to develop your skills as a conscious leader:

1. Develop self-awareness: To be a conscious leader, you need to start by understanding yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs. This can be achieved through self-reflection, meditation, journaling, and seeking feedback from others.

2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, non-judgmentally, and with a sense of curiosity. It can help you to be more attentive, focused, and empathetic in your interactions with others.

3. Build emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. This skill can help you to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build trust and rapport with your team.

4. Cultivate a sense of purpose: Conscious leaders are driven by a sense of purpose that goes beyond profit and personal success. They are committed to making a positive impact on society and the world. Clarifying your purpose can help you to align your actions and decisions with your values and goals.

5. Foster a culture of trust and empowerment: Conscious leaders create a culture of trust and empowerment by delegating authority, encouraging creativity, and providing opportunities for growth and development. They also recognize and appreciate the contributions of their team members.

6. Continuously learn and improve: Finally, conscious leaders are committed to continuous learning and improvement. They seek feedback, learn from their mistakes, and stay informed about new trends and best practices in their field.

By taking these six steps above, you can develop the skills and mindset of a conscious leader and create a positive impact in your organisation and beyond.

"A conscious leader listens more than they speak, seeks to understand rather than judge, and acts with compassion and empathy for the well-being of all." - Ken Wilber

Nice in theory but how practical is it?

According to a study conducted by Korn Ferry, organisations with higher levels of conscious leadership are more likely to have engaged employees, high levels of innovation, and a positive impact on society.

A survey conducted by Deloitte found that 77% of millennial employees would consider leaving their current job for one with a stronger sense of purpose, indicating a growing demand for conscious leadership.

A study published in the Journal of Business Ethics found that conscious leadership was positively associated with organisational citizenship behaviour, which refers to employees going above and beyond their job duties to help the organisation.

A study conducted by McKinsey & Company found that organisations with a diverse and inclusive culture are more likely to have a conscious leadership style, which in turn leads to better business performance.

What's your verdict?

How do you see conscious leadership being applied in your organisation? Are you yourself a conscious leader? Are you and your organisation already ahead of the curve and already masters of conscious leadership?

There is no good, bad, right or wrong. However, the results you achieve are restricted by the effectiveness of your leadership.

To increase your level of effectiveness, author John Maxwell tells us we have a couple of choices. You could work very hard to increase your dedication to success and excellence or you can work hard to increase your level of leadership. By raising your leadership ability, you can increase your original effectiveness a tremendous amount. That’s because leadership has a multiplying effect.

John Maxwell also introduced us to "The Law of the Lid". Leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his/her potential. The higher the individual’s ability to lead, the higher the lid on his/her potential. This also applies to organisations, the lower the level of leadership, the lower the lid on the potential of the organisation.

"Good leaders organise and align people around what the team needs to do. Great leaders motivate and inspire people with why they're doing it. That's purpose. And that's the key to achieving something truly transformational." - Marillyn Hewson

Where are you now? We are all doing the best that we we can with the resources available to us. When we improve our resources, we improve our results. Where do you want to be five years from now? What do you need to do to achieve that? Who do you need to be to achieve that? I'd love to walk with you on your journey and help you reach your destination. Start a conversation today. Email me at [email protected]