Leading Strategy: Unveiling the Impact of Depth Psychological Techniques in Shaping Leadership Methods Through 2025 and Beyond
Dr. Leah M. Hart, an expert in organizational transformation, serves as the President and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute.
As the year comes to an end, I've taken some time to think about what really supports strong leadership. For many leaders, this time can bring a mix of feelings – exhaustion from managing the complex dynamics between opposing forces in leadership, and anticipation for the challenges of the next year. Amidst all the external pressures and important decisions, it's easy to lose sight of the fundamental elements that keep us grounded and help us navigate difficulties with integrity.
C.G. Jung offers some valuable insights into this complexity in his essay "The Meaning of Psychology for Modern Man." He writes, "The true leaders of mankind are always those who are capable of self-reflection, and who relieve the dead weight of the masses at least of their own weight, consciously holding aloof from the blind momentum of the mass in movement."
These words remind us just how important self-reflection is in resisting the influence of groups and tackling complexity. Jung added that "Resistance to the organized mass can be effected only by the man who is as well organized in his individuality as the mass itself."
True leaders don't simply follow the crowd – they take a step back, reflect, and make decisions from a place of depth. Without this inner grounding, leadership becomes reactive, brittle, and disconnected from the true sources of strength. This disconnect from the psyche – the source of authentic and enduring leadership – has never been more apparent.
Many executives feel overwhelmed by change, and it can be challenging for them to see that their leadership aligns with a long-term vision. At the core of this issue lies a deeper challenge – a disconnect from the psyche, the source of genuine and lasting leadership.
The Foundations Beneath the Surface
"What am I clinging to that's holding me back?" I asked myself, looking at the tall trees in my backyard. For years, these trees had stood as symbols of strength and stability, providing shade and a sense of permanence. But unseen beneath the surface, their roots revealed a different story – one of entanglements and hidden vulnerabilities.
Instead of anchoring deep into nourishing soil, the roots had wrapped around aging pipes, cutting off water and damaging my home. Cracks formed, the house groaned under strain, and the roots even snaked into my neighbor's yard, causing tension and expensive repairs. Storms exposed the trees' false strength, making the difficult decision to remove them necessary. Once symbols of resilience, their invasive roots threatened the very foundations of my home.
Taking them down felt wrong, almost painful. As the first tree came down, I cried – not just for its loss, but for the truth it revealed: Leadership often demands us to let go of what appears strong but is, in fact, vulnerable. It requires trusting our inner wisdom, even when the decision goes against our instincts.
The experience of the trees mirrors what I've observed in leadership. Leaders who rely on outdated strategies, surface-level metrics, or systems that pretend to offer stability are like corroded pipes – they only hide vulnerabilities.
When crises arise – such as market disruptions, cultural divides, or personal reckonings – these shallow foundations crumble, leading to misguided decisions, burnout, and cultures marred by a lack of integrity. Superficial leadership becomes impossible to sustain. In contrast, I've seen leaders who connect with their inner world and act in alignment with their values steady their organizations, even during difficult times.
Rooting Leadership in the Soul
I offer five depth psychological practices for grounding soul-centered, values-based, and mission-driven leadership. These practices help leaders cultivate authenticity, resilience, and care, ensuring they build organizations that not only survive but thrive in alignment with their deeper purpose and the well-being of their communities.
1. Wake up to your inner world.
Just as an anchor root helps a tree remain firmly grounded in the earth, waking up to your inner world is the foundation of grounded leadership. Pay attention to patterns in your leadership – your strengths, triggers, and blind spots. Ask yourself: What hidden aspects of my inner world shape my decisions and relationships?
2. Explore the depths of your inner world.
Lateral roots help balance and support a tree. These roots represent the shadow aspects of leadership – the fears, assumptions, or biases that influence behavior. Engage in self-reflection to confront these hidden parts. Ask yourself: What hidden fear influences my leadership, and how might embracing it unlock true authenticity?
3. Nurture your inner world.
Feeder roots draw nutrients from the soil, sustaining a tree's growth. In leadership, caring for your inner world ensures resilience and sustainability. Prioritize practices that nourish your inner world, such as journaling, mindfulness, or creative pursuits. Caring for your inner world helps you lead with clarity and compassion. Ask yourself: Am I nurturing my inner self and grounding my wholeness through intentional practices?
4. Connect with your inner wisdom.
Supporting roots intertwine with those of nearby trees, creating mutual strength. Partnering with your inner world means aligning your external actions with your inner world. This partnership creates a leadership style rooted in authenticity and intuition. Develop a dialogue with your inner wisdom. When facing challenges, ask yourself: What does my inner self reveal, and how can I act in alignment with my core values?
5. Trust your inner voice.
The deepest part of a tree, the taproot, grounds it to its intended function. Delving into one's psyche necessitates mindful quietness, enabling the subtle whisper of its direction. Quietness doesn't hinder decisions; rather, it enlightens them. Allocate time daily for introspection. Engaging with one's psyche aids in navigating intricacies with lucidity, tethered to what holds true significance. Contemplate: What is my psyche craving, and what revelations await if I genuinely tune in?
As I set the trees free, their narrative persisted—morphing into a dining table for communal feasts, bookcases for wisdom, and nourishment for fresh beginnings. This revival reflects soulful leadership: nourishing the psyche, immersing deeply, and trusting its directives. I am convinced that leaders in 2025 will flourish not by stretching upward but by delving deeper. When turmoils ensue—and they will—your psyche has already charted the course. Will you heed its call?
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Following the text, here are two sentences that contain the phrase 'leonie h. mattison':
After exploring various depth psychological practices for grounded leadership, I had the opportunity to engage in a powerful conversation with Leonie H. Mattison, a renowned thought leader and author.
The insights shared by Leonie H. Mattison during that conversation significantly influenced my thinking about integrating psychological depth and leadership practices.
