Is there an "I" in Leadership? Understanding spiritual identity in leadership: Part One.

You're in a new leadership role. One of the first items on your list to discuss may be, "What up-skilling do I need to effectively lead in this role? Am I ready"? Or, your immediate supervisor asks you, "What leadership training do you require? How can we meet your professional growth needs? Let's look around and see what's out there, do an environmental scan, and get back to me!"

How often have you heard this:

"We've hired YOU because of your leadership IDENTITY, who YOU are, and what YOU bring to the team. We are excited to see how we can learn from YOU as we grow together to accomplish our goals".

I have, but I'm not sure it was genuine, as over time, it became crystal clear that I needed to align with something other than who I was/am; to become more of what the organisation desired me to be.

Have you ever thought... I am my greatest leadership asset and truly believe it.

When you research leadership programs and associated literature, the focus is usually on the perpetual need to hone skills, develop key strategies, and find more effective ways to achieve results. There is nothing wrong with that. 99% of programs focus on creating effective leaders and do exceptionally well. They can commonly be considered transactional-type programs, where you:

1. Receive information;

2. Hopefully, internalise it; and,

3. Become a more effective leader.

Right! Well, not always. In my most challenging moments of leadership, I've experienced that these tools alone are not enough. Understanding and grabbing onto my "North Star", that inner moral compass, who YOU are, who I was, is what enabled me to move toward the achievement of freeing myself from the power of ego and uncovering my true, authentic leadership identity, all while making some of the hardest decisions.

One thing I do believe is that difficult leadership decisions are rarely technical.

They are human-centered.

Leadership decisions involve navigating uncertainty, balancing competing values, and making choices that affect the lives of others. In these moments, we often find ourselves searching for something deeper, asking, "How do I, in all good conscience, make the required decision, while ensuring the dignity and respect of those impacted is upheld"? That something deeper can be a guide when there is no clear or easy answer. This is where understanding and standing firm in your identity, your leadership identity, the "I" in leadership, is fundamental.

Asking the question, do I have a 'North Star"? What do I hold to be true, honest, and authentic? What guides my inner thoughts, actions, and decisions? Importantly, do I listen to this?

Moving Beyond Traditional Views of Leadership

I can now affirm that my spiritual identity is fundamental to my leadership identity. I didn't always understand this, and it required a whole bunch of courage to be vulnerable to live it in my work environment(s). I think it can be agreed that spirituality is not a term commonly used in discussions surrounding secular leadership, at least I have never experienced it over the course of my 35 plus-year career working in corporate and private institutions. The word can feel ambiguous, personal, or even uncomfortable to introduce into professional settings. Yet when the leaders I interviewed described how they navigated complex decisions, a different language emerged. They spoke about:

• An “inner sense of knowing”.

• A “gut feeling” that something is right or not right.

• A "sense of responsibility" to something greater than themselves.

They described their foundation as based on a formal religion or prescribed belief system that transcended into their leadership approach: it was about awareness of their beliefs and values and enacting them in decision-making. Not only did I find this inspiring, but this also gave me COURAGE.

The Role of the Inner Moral Compass

Many leaders describe this experience as an inner moral compass, a guiding sense that helps them navigate complexity. Some refer to it as an inner north star. For some, this guidance is grounded in spiritual or religious traditions. In Christianity, it may be described as the presence of the Holy Spirit. Other traditions use different languages to describe a similar experience of guidance beyond the self. And for others, it is expressed as a deep commitment to ethical responsibility or a sense of purpose. Regardless of how it is described, the function is the same. It provides direction when external pressures are strong and when the path forward is unclear.

Understanding Spirituality in Leadership

It's really tough to separate a spiritual leader from someone who leads with love, empathy, and care, aware of their own values and purpose, and the impact of their actions on others. This spiritually aware leader moves beyond ego-driven decisions toward choices that benefit the whole community. A leader who integrates their spiritual identity recognizes that leadership is not about personal gain but about serving others; a mindset that encourages humility, patience, and empathy. These are qualities essential for becoming a principled leader, one who is altruistic, as I referred to in a previous post, whereby creating space for reflection, allowing themself to align their actions with their core values.

Spirituality as Awareness Beyond the Self

Unpacking spirituality identity in leadership further highlights that leadership is not solely about self. It is the awareness that decisions are connected to something larger: to people, to communities, to purpose, and to values that extend beyond personal success. This awareness shifts how a leader sees their role, where they become less concerned about control and authority, and more about responsibility and service. It is then that they begin to ask different questions:

1. What is the right thing to do, not just the effective thing?

2. How will this decision affect others?

3. What responsibility do I hold in this moment?

Spirituality, in this sense, is not separate from leadership. It is part of how leaders make meaning of their decisions.

From Ego to Collective Leadership

Spirituality in leadership is also closely connected to the ability to move beyond one's ego. Ego can shape how leaders interpret success, how they respond to challenges, and how they relate to others. It can create a focus on status, recognition, or control. Ego can cloud judgment and create barriers between leaders and their teams. Yet leaders who develop a deeper awareness of themselves often begin to recognize the limitations of ego-driven leadership.

• They begin to let go of the need to appear certain.

• They become more open to learning.

• They listen more carefully to others.

This shift creates space for a different kind of leadership, one that is grounded in humility and authenticity. From a "me" to "we" mindframe, that means:

• Valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging open dialogue.

• Prioritizing team success over personal recognition.

• Embracing vulnerability to build authentic connections.

• Making mistakes and learning from them.

• Making decisions that reflect shared values and long-term well-being.

Leaders who embody this approach create environments where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best.

Leadership Rooted in Love

At its deepest level, spirituality enables leaders to lead with love. Love in leadership is most often misunderstood. It does not mean sentimentality or weakness, or having a high Emotional Intelligence (EI). It is a deliberate choice to care for others, to respect their dignity, and to act in ways that support their well-being. When leaders recognize that leadership is connected to something greater than themselves, this choice becomes more natural. They begin to see leadership not as a position to hold, but as a responsibility to honour.

This is where leadership has the power to be transformative.

Leaders who enact their Spiritual Identity lead with love. They will create environments of trust, treat people with respect and dignity, make decisions with awareness of their impact on others, and prioritize the well-being and growth of those they serve

Now that is a leadership approach worth working for and holding onto.