I often get asked, “What is conscious leadership?” The quickest way to describe it is this: Does life happen to you, or do you create your life?
In this edition:
If you’re creating your life, you’re living at cause—taking control, making choices, and adapting with intention. If you’re simply responding to what life throws at you, that’s living at effect—letting circumstances dictate your path. Think about the pandemic. Who was innovative, creative, and saw opportunity amidst chaos? And who isolated themselves, saw only limitations, and simply followed the tide?
Full transparency—I had just launched my book, Make Your Contribution Count for You • Me • We, the week before the pandemic went into lockdown. After taking a year to write my book, I didn’t have much innovation, energy, or opportunity left in the tank. My timing? Not great. My adaptability? Needed work. “My wall? Oh, I hit it—hard. But after the impact, I didn’t just sit there. I bounced off, dusted myself off, and got busy. I dove deep, examining what had happened to me and, more importantly, how I could help others avoid feeling like they were drowning. That deep dive uncovered a whole new layer of Conscious Leadership—one that gave me the tools not just to survive, but to thrive. In the process, I realized that reaching our potential isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about learning how to leap forward.
At the core of conscious leadership is this powerful attribute: taking 100% responsibility. That’s where real conscious leadership begins. So, how do we take responsibility as leaders? First, let’s look at how we often don’t.
5 Ways Leaders Avoid Responsibility
- Blaming Others: It’s easy to point fingers when things go wrong—’It’s their fault,’ ‘that department messed up,’ or ‘we don’t have the resources.’ Blame shifts the focus away from what you can control.
- Victim Mentality: When leaders constantly feel like they’re at the mercy of circumstances, they give up their power. ‘There’s nothing I can do,’ ‘the market’s against us,’ ‘nobody’s buying right now.’ It’s a mindset that halts progress.
- Playing the Hero or the Villain: Sometimes leaders either take on too much, trying to ‘rescue’ everyone, or become the villain in their own story, thinking they must bear the weight of failure. Either way, they’re not taking full responsibility—they’re playing roles.
- Avoiding Tough Conversations: If you’re dodging difficult conversations with your team, peers, or even yourself, you’re not leading consciously. It’s easier to pretend the problem isn’t there than to address it head-on.
- Overlooking Self-Care: Ignoring your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being is another way of not taking responsibility. If you burn out, how can you lead others effectively?
5 Ways Conscious Leaders Take Responsibility
- Own Your Circumstances: A conscious leader says, ‘I commit to taking full responsibility for my circumstances in life and my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.’ It’s about understanding that you are where you are because of your choices.
- Focus on What You Can Control: Instead of blaming ‘them’ or ‘that department,’ focus on your behaviors, attitudes, and communications. Ask, ‘What can I do to alter this situation?’ It’s empowering to know that change starts with you.
- Be Transparent and Accountable: A conscious leader doesn’t shy away from admitting mistakes or acknowledging areas for improvement. When you’re transparent, you build trust. When you’re accountable, you foster growth.
- Empower Others to Take Responsibility: Leadership isn’t just about your own journey; it’s about supporting others in theirs. A conscious leader helps others recognize their ability to shape their own paths and rise above challenges.
- Cultivate Creativity and Innovation: Instead of seeing limitations, ask yourself and your team, ‘What’s possible here?’ As a good friend and professional speaker, Jennifer Spear says: “How Might we?” During tough times, the best leaders ignite creativity and innovation. They don’t wait for the perfect moment—they create it.
Conscious Leadership in Action
Living at cause is an energy that flows outward—it empowers, creates, and uplifts. People are naturally drawn to that energy. Think about the leaders you admire, the ones who radiate confidence, compassion, and purpose. These are the magnetic leaders, the ones who spark innovation and inspire change. They lead not just with authority, but with authenticity—and others want to follow them because they make growth feel possible, for everyone around them.
On the flip side, living at effect drains energy. We’ve all experienced the leaders and entrepreneurs who seem to suck the life out of a room, whether in a for-profit or nonprofit space. They point fingers, deflect responsibility, and focus on obstacles instead of solutions. Instead of creating momentum, they stall progress.
A conscious leader makes a powerful commitment: ‘I commit to supporting others in taking full responsibility for their lives.’ It’s not just about their own growth; it’s about cultivating an environment where everyone takes ownership of their impact. This is the kind of leadership that creates ripples of change—within teams, organizations, and communities.
The key? Focus on yourself (that is the ME in YouMeWe). When you change your behaviors, attitudes, and communications, you shift the dynamics of every situation. And here’s the beauty of it: when you lead with this kind of intentionality, you amplify the impact—not just for you, but for your colleagues, your company, and the community at large. You guessed it, the WE.
So, where do you stand? Will life happen to you, or will you create your life? Conscious leadership begins with that choice. Now, it’s time to make your contribution count—for you, for them, and for we.
Make Your Contribution Count Now
Taking responsibility starts with owning your circumstances. As a leader, ask yourself: What can I control right now to make an impact? Instead of pointing fingers or waiting for the perfect conditions, focus on what you can influence today. For example, if a project isn’t progressing as expected, don’t dwell on external factors like the market or team limitations. Instead, ask, What actions can I take to move things forward? And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Shifting from blame to proactive ownership is the first step in making your contribution count as a conscious leader—for you, your colleagues, and the greater community.
Let’s make Waves!
🌊 I’m Suzanne F. Stevens, your Wave-Maker at the YouMeWe Social Impact Group, empowering a WE Culture by cultivating conscious leadership.
I amplify the voices and impact of sheIMPACTLeaders through coaching, training, speaking, and our podcast. Elevate your leadership, amplify your authentic voice, and accelerate sustainable social change with YouMeWe.
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