The Inward Journey of Leadership

Abstract

For most people, becoming an effective leader is a lifelong effort that requires an enormous amount of work and commitment. Few individuals reach their full capacity as leaders but not because they lack in technical abilities. Becoming a world-class leader involves much more than becoming a more proficient manager or a better strategic thinker. Most fundamentally, the process is about a personal transformation. All great leaders are on a continuous inward journey of selfdiscovery and self-growth to transform themselves and their organizations. Rainer Rilke, the renowned German poet, once commented, “There is only one journey. Going inside yourself.” For an increasing number of people, however, the focus is outward, on looking good and standing out. At the same time, they experience an inner restlessness, a growing sense that something is missing in their lives, though it is not clear what. Troubled by the isolation of their personal values from their careers, many people are tempted to detach (sometimes even compromise) their most deep-seated beliefs from the workplace, even though such compartmentalization is inconsistent with their basic principles. Sadly, many of us would say, “I don’t have time for self-discovery and introspection. I’m too busy. My work is more hectic and demanding than ever.” We don’t set aside much time to “go inside” ourselves to reflect, to make our personal growth a priority. Rilke’s advice, however, is especially useful for leaders in academic medicine who have experienced the turmoil and anxiety that have permeated academic medical centers