2. Self-Leadership: Journey from Position-Power to Self-Power

Self-leadership marks the transition from position-power to self-power. It is built on the understanding that everybody has two most basic needs—the need to express oneself and the need to surpass oneself. These needs may not always be very well-articulated, but they are there in and through all our strivings and pursuits. Self-leadership accomplishes both in one stroke by inspiring excellence in oneself and others and by enabling people to express and surpass themselves. The chapter offers a unique perspective on self-leadership which is defined as leading from one’s highest authentic self. Leadership is approached as an expression (and as an extension) of who we are. Exemplary leaders recognize that the most important challenges confronting organizations and society at large are so profound and pervasive that they can only be resolved at the fundamental level of the human spirit—at the level of one’s authentic self.

Self-leadership starts with the simple premise that it is hard to lead others if one is not able to manage oneself. If we want to be effective leaders, we first need to be able to lead ourselves effectively. It is all about leading yourself authentically. When as leaders we are in touch with our deeper, truer authentic self, we’re also able to connect with the authentic self of others. In the final reckoning, self-leadership is a self-cultivation process, emanating from leaders’ deepest values and culminating in their contribution to the greater, common good. This chapter also reviews spiritual leadership, authentic leadership, and servant leadership as natural expressions of self-leadership.