The Conscious Leader: Cultivating Inner Peace for Outer Impact

Do you think it’s true that people don’t leave companies, they leave managers?

I know I did once. Company culture overall would certainly impact that decision too, so it’s not a black and white statement to say people leave because of managers.

The path to constructive leadership isn't always smooth or straightforward. I've encountered my fair share of leaders who seemed to have missed the memo on empathy, compassion, and basic human decency. In fact, as I began writing this article, stories of past bosses and toxic work environments flooded my mind, each one tempting me to unleash a torrent of righteous anger. I choose not to.

My own journey to effective leadership hasn't been without its stumbles. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, I dove headfirst into building a team without any formal leadership training. In those early years, I stumbled, make assumptions, trusted blindly, overextended myself, let my ego get in the way. Can you relate?

One of my biggest lessons in leadership came from a place of genuine care, but also from my own lack of self-awareness. I had a talented staff member whom I saw as a future leader.

Our connection and vision was strong, but our communication styles clashed constantly. I reacted emotionally to her challenges, which created unnecessary tension and a hostile environment. It was a classic case of my good intentions meeting my under-developed skills.

That experience was a wake-up call. I realized that caring for my team meant more than just wanting the best for them. It meant showing up as the calm, composed leader they deserved, even in challenging moments. Managing people over the past decade has pushed me to:

• develop my emotional intelligence

• improve my communication skills

• have calmer conflict resolution abilities

• set healthy boundaries

• navigate trust in a competitive business environment

• recognize red flags early on

• confront my personal fears like imposter syndrome

Those experiences were tough, but they forced me to develop crucial skills required of business leaders. As a result, our company culture has transformed. It is now based on the utmost respect of each other, with constant and kind communication and feedback loops. Conflict has become a thing of the past.

Those skills, in turn, have become the foundation for the leader I strive to always be. One who is:

• rooted in empathy

• uplifting everyone that comes into my space

• speaking my truth with clarity and conviction

• living my values and principles I wish to teach

• dedicated to ongoing personal development

• being the change I wish to see in the world

• approach all life with humility, gratitude and a genuine sense of joy

• making decisions based on love, not fear

Leadership is a journey, not a destination. It requires constant self-reflection, a willingness to learn from our mistakes, and a commitment to evolving alongside the people choosing to follow us. If you're a leader who's made mistakes, take heart. You're not alone.

The key is to approach those experiences as fuel to become a more conscious and compassionate leader. It’s about having the courage to say sorry when you realize you have reacted from a place of fear instead of love, and to do better next time.

Being a leader is 100% about relationships. Your relationship to yourself and your relationship to the people around you. If you don’t know how to cultivate and foster good relationships with both, you’re likely to end up in a fiery work environment. But the good news is, that as you heal the relationship with yourself first, your outer relationships improve too.

The key is to be self-aware that it all starts with you. Any challenge that comes along, is for your spiritual growth so that you can evolve personally and be conscious leader.

Reflect on your own leadership journey and style. Get honest feedback from someone in your company if you are unsure. Decide what type of leader you want to be. Own your story, change it if it’s not reflecting who really are. Encourage other leaders to speak out about their journeys. Seek resources for growth and apply the skills you learn.

Once you have transformed yourself. Teach. The world needs better rolemodels.