https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/transformational-leadership-from-inside-out-dr-robert-bob-wright/
We often say that transformational leadership is leadership from the inside out.
But what does leadership from the inside out mean, exactly? Most people would define leadership as “influencing others and managing outcomes.” At the Wright Foundation, our transformational leaders learn that the power for influencing others and managing outcomes comes from within—from knowing themselves.
They discover leadership is an inside job. More than just learning to talk the talk, or even walk the walk of leadership, our students learn that they must do the personal growth work to unlock their inner transformational leader.
This process of self-discovery begins with deep reflection and examination. Our students explore their beginnings and internal makeup. What experiences shaped who they are? What precepts drive them?
The results of this self-exploration journey are standout leaders who are highly emotionally intelligent and principal-driven. They learn to truly engage with those around them. Our students consistently emerge as leaders in their organizations, companies, and lives as they go forth into the world.
When we talk about transformational leadership, many questions arise: What does leadership look like “from the inside, out?” How does this unique approach change the face of leadership and the mentality of leaders? How does one learn transformational leadership skills?
At the Wright Foundation for the Realization of Human Potential, our leaders have discovered their own driving principles. They’ve engaged in the necessary work to understand themselves. These transformational leaders act with integrity. They live true to their values and principles and as a result, others trust them and want to emulate their behavior. They stand out as examples of their learning experience.
Leading from the inside out means knowing yourself. You must be comfortable enough in your own skin to allow yourself to be vulnerable, emotional, and transparent with others. Leading from the inside means never shying away from the qualities that make you authentic and human to others.
Understanding your motivations, feelings, and behaviors leads to empathy and sensitivity to others. This means noticing when you’re feeling agitated or upset and identifying your emotions when you want to blame or attack others. Strong leaders learn instead to act with curiosity, assuming goodwill on the part of those they are leading.
Neuroscience and the study of the brain has advanced by leaps and bounds in the last few decades, particularly in recent years. Imaging of the brain now allows us to see and measure the effects of emotional intelligence. We see how emotion is processed inside the brain; which centers “light up” when we’re engaged and displaying a high level of emotional intelligence.
When a leader is confident, self-possessed, and trustworthy, we often see more activity in the emotional centers of the brain. The positive effects of connecting with others, accurately seeing them for who they are, and offering them a sense of security results in higher brain activity amongst strong leaders.
The emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology increasingly demonstrates the multiplicity of internal experience we are all having. This “behind the scenes” activity goes on inside our brains, while most of us are ignorant to the effects in our daily lives.
What is the multiplicity of internal experience we’re referring to? How do Wright Foundation leaders know and understand themselves? How do they take their knowledge and process it into internal attunement?It all begins with awareness: sensing what’s going on inside us and allowing it to exist without judgement.
When we process our feelings with curiosity and acknowledgement rather than shame and judgment, we operate with greater clarity and purpose. Feelings are unavoidable and are a powerful gift—our own internal guide. We are always undergoing feelings; they are a core aspect of our humanity.
If we become aware of our feelings, the biological function of those feelings is fulfilled. We move away from pain and toward pleasure in response to anger. Sadness allows us to grieve the loss when something that matters to us is removed. Fear allows us to anticipate danger and plan accordingly. Hurt, one of our most powerful emotions, tells us we had an unmet yearning to be seen or affirmed. Finally, happiness and joy propel us to celebrate and connect with others.
Each emotion is powerful. Emotions accompany all our actions and intentions. When we downplay, ignore, or numb our feelings, we miss the data behind our emotions. The more a transformational leader becomes aware of his or her own feelings (and how they relate to experiences) the more he or she can empathize and identify those feelings in others.
People constantly have thoughts, judgments, ideas, beliefs, and mistaken beliefs running through their minds. Our brains are recording all conditions leading up to this point in time. We’re processing what’s kept us alive and we want to preserve our life by keeping conditions stable. We want to avoid risk. In fact, there’s a strong voice in our minds telling us to keep the status quo.
Transformational leaders are in touch with their emotional intelligence. They are aware of their thoughts and reflexive thinking patterns. These leaders observe their reactions without judgement, gathering data so they become even more self-aware, present, and powerful. Awareness of our running thoughts is referred to as mindfulness.
As we learn to become mindful and more aware of our own needs and yearnings in the moment, we’re better able to fully meet these yearnings as well as the yearnings and needs of others. One of the beautiful results of mindfulness is the realization that our yearnings are best met honestly and directly. We become more authentic, open, and aware as we work toward the goal of fulfilling what we need.
Our yearnings are more powerful than simple wants or desires. They are the spiritual and fundamental needs we all share—to be loved, to love, to be seen, to be heard, to relate, and other universal longings.
Our specific yearnings are typically related to our responsibilities and the outcomes we’re driving toward in our lives. Mindfulness allows us to fulfill our developmental needs, to productively meet our yearnings, and still maintain a positive rapport with others. We become focused on our relationships—our relationship with those we encounter as well as our relationship with our self.
As we become aware and mindful, we make more productive choices. We’re no longer driven by our simple unconscious beliefs and feelings. We’re making conscious choices to help us obtain positive outcomes in each moment.
So, how does mindfulness contribute to transformational leadership? In the defining book on transformational leadership by Ron Reggio, he speaks of leaders having four characteristics. The first leadership characteristic is individualized concern. This means those who we lead feel we see them accurately for who they are. They feel we understand their unique needs, and we hold them in positive regard. Transformational leaders are aware of their own feelings, needs, and reactions; this mindfulness leads them to become aware of the needs and yearnings of others.
The second characteristic Reggio mentions is idealized influence. As leaders, we demonstrate character and integrity others want to emulate. Transformational leaders walk the talk and live according to the principles and values they espouse. They create more security for others by direct and transparent actions. Security is a touchpoint that helps those we influence take more worthwhile risks.
The third characteristic of transformational leadership is intellectual stimulation. These leaders offer high-quality communication and build rapport. They’re focused on their own personal growth. They see learning as a lifelong pursuit. Consequently, transformational leaders keep the minds of their team members engaged and challenged.
The final characteristic is inspirational motivation. Transformational leaders are invested in the empowerment of others. They inspire those around them to seize opportunities and become even more than they believed they could be. They lead others to realize and discover their true potential. By living true to positive values and principles, transformational leaders become examples of what it truly means to become your best self.
Existentialists have said that being authentic isn’t only about being honest and transparent about who we are now. Authenticity is also about being true to the person we can become. Transformational leaders are always in a state of learning and growing. They are becoming their next best self right alongside those they’re leading.
Transformational leaders embrace what Carol Dweck, Ph.D. and leading motivational researcher, calls a “growth mindset.” This means leaders embrace qualities like choice, curiosity, experimentation, and creativity. They see difficulties and challenges as an opportunity rather than a setback. A mistake is simply a chance to develop, learn, and grow.
This sense of adventure allows transformational leaders and their teams to notice their fear and conservatism. They’re able to take meaningful risks and go forth into the unknown, understanding that the experience is part of growing, innovating, and evolving.
Transformational leadership is far beyond a trivial term. Ultimately, it means transforming humanity itself. Transformational leadership leads people toward ownership for their emotions, their happiness, their health, and the health of the planet.
Leading from the inside out means learning to live in the unity and full aliveness of life. It means we’re awakened to the many possibilities before us. We embrace growth in all areas of our life, not only our career or our relationships. Transformational leaders harness the emerging possibilities of themselves and others. They explore limitless human potential as they lead from the known to explore the and discover the unknown before them.
For more on discovering your potential, please visit www.wrightfoundation.org. Join us for an upcoming networking event, where you can learn more and connect with others. We’re also proud to offer many wonderful resources including our downloadable course library, available at a special introductory price.
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