Conscious leadership offers a distinctive perspective, combining personal growth, social responsibility, and professional success. But what’s the path to becoming a conscious leader? In this article, we’ll discuss the three core values necessary for effective conscious leadership: Awareness, Responsibility, and Empathy (ARE).
Conscious leadership, though a relatively new concept, has generated lots of attention in recent years, presenting a fresh and unique perspective on leadership, weaving together personal growth, social responsibility, and professional achievement.
You might be wondering, what exactly is conscious leadership? At its heart, conscious leadership involves recognising that leadership goes well beyond traditional notions of power and control. It involves developing a deep self-awareness and mindfulness that guides leaders to make decisions that benefit their organisations and contribute to a more sustainable world.
The advantages extend to both individuals and the organisations they lead. For individuals, conscious leadership promotes personal growth by encouraging self-reflection, nurturing emotional intelligence, and instilling a sense of purpose. This, in turn, leads to greater job satisfaction and overall well-being. For organisations, conscious leadership can lead to improved employee morale and engagement. When leaders prioritise the well-being of their team members and consider the broader societal consequences of their decisions, it often results in a more inclusive and ethical workplace culture. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and employee loyalty, all of which contribute to the organisation’s long-term success.
But you might wonder, how does one become a conscious leader? At The Argonauts, we strongly emphasise three fundamental skills: Awareness, Responsibility, and Empathy (ARE), which form the foundation for meaningful conversations, personal insight, and improved effectiveness, both at an individual and organisational level.
Self-awareness has become the latest management buzzword, and it is easy to see why. Research suggests that when we understand ourselves better, we become more confident and creative and make better decisions. We also build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively. When it comes to leadership, self-aware individuals tend to have more satisfied employees and more profitable companies. But what does awareness really mean?
Some philosophical and psychological schools of thought argue that awareness is the pathway to achieving our goals and personal growth. They see it as a guiding light that helps us recognise our strengths, weaknesses, fears, and desires. By being conscious of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, we gain the ability to make deliberate choices and adapt to different situations. In this view, awareness is the tool that empowers us to overcome life’s challenges and become better versions of ourselves.
Others believe that awareness is not just a tool but the ultimate goal of personal and spiritual development. They argue that it’s not just a means to an end but the end itself. In this perspective, awareness is a state where we gain a deep understanding of our inner selves. For example, in Gestalt Therapy, awareness is the goal. It’s the state where we break free from the shackles of ego, social conditioning, and false self-images. This view emphasises that awareness is the key to genuine self-acceptance and inner peace.
We believe that to achieve self-awareness, we need to practice self-observation. It’s an ongoing process of collecting objective data about our inner world, much like a scientist gathering data. This helps us observe our experiences, thoughts, and emotions as objectively as possible, enabling us to consciously choose our responses instead of reacting impulsively. This ability to respond consciously is where the real power of awareness lies.
From a philosophical standpoint, renowned thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard and, more recently, Eckhart Tolle emphasise the importance of identifying with the awareness behind our thoughts and emotions. To quote Tolle, “Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the awareness behind them.”
This distinction allows us to view our thoughts and emotions as experiences that are part of us but not the entirety of our being. Essentially, it moves from being controlled by our mental and emotional states to becoming the conscious observer who decides how to engage with the world.
Awareness is the crucial first step in the journey of personal growth and self-improvement. It is the foundation upon which one’s ability to assume responsibility and nurture empathy is built. This interconnected trio—awareness, responsibility, and empathy— forms a powerful combination that can bring about personal transformation and change how we engage with the world.
When a person becomes aware of their existence, it marks the beginning of a profound self-discovery journey. This awareness goes beyond self-recognition; it involves an understanding of one’s actions, motivations, and the consequences they bear. It’s an acknowledgement that we are not passive spectators in our lives but active participants, influencing and shaping our reality through our choices and behaviours.
This realisation is both empowering and intimidating. It empowers us by granting us the ability to make deliberate choices that align with our values and aspirations. However, it also brings the weight of personal responsibility. With awareness comes the knowledge that we have the power to shape our lives and that power demands accountability.
This brings us to the idea that reluctance to embrace self-awareness often stems from the fear of the responsibilities it carries. Acknowledging our ability to choose and shape our lives means we can no longer attribute our circumstances solely to external factors. It’s the recognition that we are the architects of our reality, and if we’re dissatisfied with the structure, we bear the responsibility to initiate change. This can be intimidating, as it squarely places the onus on our shoulders.
The interconnectedness of awareness, responsibility, and empathy becomes apparent when we realise that everything experienced within our awareness is, to some extent, a reflection of our inner selves. As we perceive and interact with the world, we aren’t just passive observers; we become co-creators of our reality. Our awareness shapes the lens through which we view the world, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and actions, all of which subsequently impact our experiences.
Dr. Len’s work, where he healed an entire ward of criminally insane patients through introspection rather than direct patient interaction, provides a compelling example of this concept. By delving into his own inner world and confronting his role in creating the patients’ illnesses, he demonstrated the profound connection between self-awareness and transformation. His healing of the patients symbolises the power of acknowledging one’s influence over their reality and, consequently, the power to change it.
In essence, by understanding that everything within our awareness reflects our inner state, we empower ourselves to take responsibility for our experiences and, in doing so, initiate a process of personal growth and transformation. The inseparable trio of awareness, responsibility, and empathy equips us not only to gain a better understanding of ourselves but also to engage with the world more purposefully and compassionately.
The Argonauts are pleased to offer an innovative solution, what we like to call Trust Circles. These unique spaces are designed to facilitate meaningful and interconnected conversations among teams and individual leaders, with a focus on nurturing trust, stimulating creativity, and inspiring innovative action.
What makes Trust Circles stand out is the guidance of our expert facilitators. They ensure these gatherings go beyond ordinary discussions and lead to genuinely impactful outcomes. Trust Circles are firmly grounded in the principles of vulnerability, active listening, refraining from giving advice, and creating a non-judgmental environment.
Within a Trust Circle, participants are encouraged to be open and vulnerable, creating a safe haven where they can freely share their thoughts and experiences without fear of judgement. This vulnerability plays a pivotal role in building trust among participants.
Trust Circles also emphasise the significance of active listening, where participants genuinely engage with and respect each other’s perspectives. The practice of refraining from providing advice encourages individuals to delve into their own insights and viewpoints, promoting self-discovery.
By embracing the fundamental principles of Awareness, Responsibility, and Empathy (ARE), Trust Circles empower individuals to become more conscious and effective leaders, one meaningful conversation at a time.
Eveline works as a facilitator and product developer at The Argonauts. She is a Neuroscientist and Psychologist trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, meditation and Breathwork.
