We are in an era of changes, and this must also be reflected in the way we lead in any field of society.
Conscious leadership is based on the idea that leaders must be aware of themselves, others, and the environment in which they operate. This implies having greater self-awareness, empathy, and compassion towards others, as well as the ability to make ethical and sustainable decisions. Conscious leaders are capable of inspiring their teams, fostering an environment of trust, motivation, and collaboration, and working towards a higher purpose that benefits all involved and achieves shared goals, bringing out the best in everyone. In summary, conscious leadership seeks to create a positive impact on people and the world in general.
Power and authority are key components of leadership, but their use and manifestation can vary widely depending on the approach. Power can be exercised through punitive action or reward or gratification. It can be used as a command tool to control and manipulate, which is no longer relevant in conscious leadership but rather to use it positively to motivate and empower followers.
Previously, formal authority was given by the position, and currently, in conscious leadership, you have to earn it through trust and respect towards yourself and others.
To be a conscious leader, you must have worked on and known yourself.
There are five basic tools for conscious leadership that are elementary competencies of personal development, perfectly trainable, modifiable, and permanently improvable. Briefly, we outline what each consists of:
Self-awareness through reflection on defects and virtues through which we discover and accept ourselves and which allows us to be aware of our qualities and flaws. It is the essence of our satisfactory adaptation to the environment.
Self-control: to manage our emotions, being responsible for the consequences of our actions in the light of acceptance and commitment, through relaxation activities, conscious breathing, meditation, yoga, and the practice of shared physical activities. It is the essence of our relationships.
Self-esteem: the ability to love, value, cherish, and respect ourselves in each aspect of our life. The transformative power of positive language, the substitution of derogatory words and expressions towards ourselves or others, and the intentional exercise of kindness and amiability. It is the essence of our identity.
Empathy: the ability to understand the emotional (emotions and feelings) and cognitive (ideas or thoughts) state of others or ourselves. Being able to put ourselves in others’ circumstances, rather than expecting the other to adapt to me, without the need to renounce my identity. It is the essence of change.
Assertiveness: the ability to relate by respecting one’s own and others’ rights and obligations. Saying yes when you want to say yes and no when you want to say no, regardless of the circumstances.
Each of these five basic competencies is interdependent on the others. It is an intrinsic improvement work, from the inside out, which affects your psychological state, your interpersonal relationships, and your influence on others.
Being a better person requires not only being dignified, useful, free, and timely. It also requires being responsible and coherent and demonstrating it through our words, actions, and results.
Dr. Luján Comas
Icloby Foundation President