By Dr. Suzanne Minarcine
Faculty Director, School of Business at American Public University
I saw a plaque at Cracker Barrel once that said something like “I just have to be myself because everyone else is taken.” This is the heart of conscious leadership. If you want to lead and lead effectively, you’ve got to be yourself and be true to your values and beliefs.
No matter what, I will never be Phil Jackson, Coach Dean Smith, or Eleanor Roosevelt. I can only be me.
Conscious leadership incorporates authenticity and servant leadership and seeks the best outcome for all. Quite simply, conscious leadership focuses on the long-term and takes a broad view when evaluating decisions. Conscious leadership seeks opportunities to make the world a better place and to leave a legacy, in part by developing the talents of people around you.
The Conscious Capitalism movement, started by John Mackey of Whole Foods Market, is seen in organizations like Zappos, Costco, Tom’s Shoes, and others. The movement has demonstrated that it is okay to be in business, make money, and still have a heart.
A conscious leader leads with awareness. This means you know what’s going on inside and outside of your organization and you’re aware of the effects and interactions of decisions and actions. It helps you transcend unconscious patterns, expand your perspective, and open yourself to new possibilities.
You must know yourself and know your personal purpose and how it aligns with your organization. Mark Twain said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” The day you find out why is the day you figure out your purpose.
[Related: Ways to Master Your Professional Image]
Stephen Covey, in his iconic work, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, advised us in 1989 to develop our own mission statement and to know our own higher purpose. How does your higher purpose fit with the higher purpose of your organization?
The conscious leader builds relationships and practices compassion and empathy. How do you do this without being soft? Soft is not so bad, sometimes, but compassion and empathy requires listening. It means communicating clearly and directly, both good information and the difficult information.
It requires you to be present. Put down the phone and close your computer and look at the person with whom you are speaking. The conscious leader blends caring and compassion into the workplace.
The conscious leader takes the time to nurture the people around him or her and help them achieve their highest potential. This creates a new and different corporate culture, because the conscious leader leads with heart, not just mind.
The conscious leader makes a connection with other humans. You can be direct but you can still have empathy. Anything else is cruelty.
A conscious leader builds a culture that nourishes the stakeholders of the business. Culture in your organization is how you articulate your values, principles, and practices. Peter Drucker once said, “Culture eats strategy for lunch.” Culture provides the threads that form the background of the tapestry of your business and your life.
If you have a culture of honesty and integrity with a focus on the higher purpose, you will build an organization that cares about the internal and external stakeholders and develops trust. The conscious culture is energizing and builds loyalty by seeking a synergy where everyone wins.
We’re all leaders, somewhere. Maybe we don’t have an official management title or maybe our title is Mom or Dad. Leading consciously can have positive results in our workplace and in our relationships.
How might you incorporate conscious leadership in your practice?
About the Author: Dr. Suzanne Minarcine is a faculty director for the School of Business at American Public University. She currently teaches strategic management and entrepreneurship courses.
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