In 2015, I experienced a life-changing AHA moment. It happened during my visit to the Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan—a place that transformed my understanding of leadership, purpose, and happiness.
Bhutan is a remarkable country nestled between India and China. The first thing that strikes you is the awe-inspiring natural beauty—the towering peaks of the eastern Himalayas, winding rivers, and lush forests that seem untouched by time. But it’s not just the landscape that captures your heart; it’s the people. There’s a calm, kindness, and deep cultural pride in every interaction. It was the perfect backdrop for the Business Transformation program I was there to attend—a blend of business, nature, and happiness. That’s exactly my kind of inspiration!
Here’s what I discovered…
The seven-day program brought together business leaders, community champions, and change-makers from across the globe. It was designed as a space for mindfulness, deep reflection, and collective learning. What struck me most was this powerful idea… our capacity to drive social and business transformation is directly linked to our personal inner transformation.
This concept reshaped how I approach leadership. It’s about aligning our actions with our intentions, fostering self-reflection, tapping into our internal sources of inspiration, and then radiating that energy outwards to ignite collective change.
At Alyceum, this philosophy guides how we nurture leadership. True leadership is rooted in knowing and understanding ourselves so we can lead the changes we wish to see in the world. Globally, we face some big challenges—creating a just and sustainable world requires addressing pressing issues like poverty, human rights, gender and racial equality, and environmental sustainability. The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a roadmap toward a future where peace and prosperity are attainable for everyone, but how do we get there?
The answer lies in the lesson I learned in Bhutan: meaningful global change begins with our own personal inner transformation.
In a promising step forward, global foundations have come together to establish the Inner Development Goals (IDGs)—a framework that highlights the inner growth needed to support the achievement of the SDGs. The IDGs outline 23 skills and qualities across five dimensions:
1. Being — Relationship to Self
- Inner compass
- Integrity and Authenticity
- Openness and Learning mindset
- Self-awareness
- Presence
2. Thinking — Cognitive Skills
- Critical thinking
- Complexity awareness
- Perspective skills
- Sense-making
- Long-term orientation and Visioning
3. Relating — Caring for Others and the World
- Appreciation
- Connectedness
- Humility
- Empathy and Compassion
4. Collaborating — Social Skills
- Communication skills
- Co-creation skills
- Inclusive mindset and intercultural competence
- Trust
- Mobilization skills
5. Acting — Driving change
- Courage
- Creativity
- Optimism
- Perseverance
If you’re committed to leading positive change in the world, these Inner Development Goals are a powerful place to start. And if you’re looking to grow alongside others on this journey, I warmly invite you to join our next Greater Good Collective cohort (Starting 3 SEPT 2024)—a community where we explore personal growth to amplify our impact on the world. Together, we can become the leaders the world needs to achieve a brighter, more sustainable future.
FREE WEBINAR
How to Lead for a Better World
Do you feel overwhelmed with the challenges that our world is facing? In this webinar we explore how leadership is changing and what leadership mindsets and skill sets matter the most. We show you how you can find your voice and be confident to step up in your leadership to contribute to positive change.
