Leadership skills for today’s world
Leaders need a different skill set
In my work with leaders, I see a troubling trend which I’ve written about before. Many are increasingly stressed, stretched thin, and teetering on the edge of burnout.
The pressure of constant demands, uncertainty, and rapid change leaves them operating in a state of chronic stress. Their nervous systems can remain in a heightened state of arousal for extended priors, impairing the executive decision-making centers in the brain.
“When emotions are too intense, they overwhelm the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that helps us plan, strategize, and regulate ourselves.” - Dan Goleman
It creates the perfect storm. Leaders are at risk of becoming reactive rather than thoughtful, falling into survival mode rather than leading with vision and purpose.
With ever-increasing demands on leaders, it's clear that new skills are needed—skills that foster calm, clarity, resilience, and compassion. All of these can be cultivated through mindful self-care and intentional practice.
Self-awareness: The skill of knowing yourself
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders who are self-aware have a deep understanding of their emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.
It enables them to make conscious choices rather than acting out of habit or impulse. This clarity allows them to lead with authenticity, integrity, and intention.
When leaders lack self-awareness, they can fall into reactive patterns, driven by unconscious biases, fears, or stress. This is especially true when leaders are burned out, as their emotional brains take over, leading them to operate in survival mode.
As Jon Kabat-Zinn says, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” Self-awareness helps leaders catch those internal waves early, responding thoughtfully rather than reacting emotionally.
Self-aware leaders are also better equipped to understand how their actions and behaviors impact others. They can step outside their immediate perspective and assess how their decisions affect team morale, culture, and productivity.
“Self-awareness is crucial to being emotionally intelligent. It helps leaders recognize the ripple effect of their behavior, making them more attuned to the needs and emotions of their teams.” - Dan Goleman
Self-awareness also fosters humility. When leaders know themselves deeply, they are more comfortable admitting what they don’t know and seeking feedback.
“Self-aware leaders are able to navigate challenges with grace because they are not blinded by ego—they can adjust their approach with agility.” David Richardson
Calm: The skill of mindful presence
Leaders who master calm are fully present. They maintain a balanced awareness of their internal state and the external environment. This mindful presence allows them to notice and let go of distractions—whether it's stress, thoughts, or emotions.
Staying calm under pressure helps leaders create a stable, focused environment for their team. It fosters clear thinking and effective decision-making, even in challenging situations.
This ability to navigate the inevitable challenges of leadership starts with calming the nervous system, regaining clarity, and learning to respond thoughtfully rather than reacting emotionally.
Self-care tip: Regular mindfulness practices like meditation, breathwork, or taking brief moments of reflection throughout the day help leaders stay grounded and present.
Clarity: The skill of intentional communication
Clarity in leadership is about knowing what you want to achieve and how you want to show up. Leaders with this skill communicate with purpose, ensuring their messages are both direct and thoughtfully delivered.
They pay attention to “wise speech,” avoiding assumptions and understanding how their words impact others. Clarity helps leaders guide their teams with intention, aligning actions with the organisation’s vision.
David Richardson notes that “when leaders are under constant pressure, their ability to be clear and intentional diminishes.” This leads to a cycle of inefficiency and burnout, which ripples throughout the organisation.
Self-care tip: Taking time to reflect on your personal and professional priorities can keep you aligned with your purpose. Journaling or setting daily intentions can help maintain focus and clarity.
Curiosity: The skill of open inquiry
Curiosity allows leaders to continuously learn and adapt. Leaders with this skill are open to exploring different perspectives and regularly check their assumptions about themselves and others.
They hold both the mindset of an expert and a novice, balancing confidence with humility. This fosters a culture of innovation where teams feel safe to experiment and grow.
Self-care tip: Stay mentally refreshed by seeking out new learning experiences, whether through books, courses, or engaging in creative hobbies. Keeping your curiosity alive will help you stay energised and open to new possibilities.
Courage: The skill of bold authenticity
Courageous leaders face uncomfortable truths. They have difficult conversations when needed. This skill involves owning mistakes privately and publicly, showing vulnerability, and promoting a culture where it’s safe to take risks.
By modelling authenticity, courageous leaders build trust and encourage teams to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
Self-care tip: Taking time for personal reflection allows you to process challenging emotions or decisions. Practices like therapy, coaching, or even talking things through with a trusted friend can help maintain emotional resilience.
Compassion: The skill of empathetic leadership
Leaders skilled in compassion balance tasks and relationships. They show kindness to themselves and others, recognising that everyone brings unique perspectives and challenges.
Compassionate leaders build strong, loyal teams by attending to both individual well-being and collective success. Their empathy fosters a culture of inclusion and thoughtful decision-making.
Self-care tip: Compassion for others starts with self-compassion. Take breaks when needed, listen to your body, and practice kindness toward yourself. This will not only restore your energy but also enhance your ability to show up for others.
Resilience: The skill of growing forward
Resilient leaders are those who practice all of the above. Contrary to what we one thought, they are not those who push through and work harder.
They maintain a steady sense of purpose, even in difficult times, and help their teams do the same. Resilience is not just about surviving the storm but learning from it and emerging with new strengths.
This is only possible if you are deeply connected with your experience and that of others, and remain open to new ways of thinking and being.
Self-care tip: Build resilience by practicing skills one through six and maintaining a balance between work and personal life. Engage in restorative activities like yoga, running, or spending time with loved ones. Prioritise sleep, nutrition, and rest to keep your body and mind strong.
Taking care of yourself to lead effectively
Leaders operate in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. It's easy to get swept up in the demands of the moment and lose sight of what truly matters. However, the future of leadership requires a shift—not just toward productivity, but toward sustainability, self-awareness, and resilience.
The skills that matter most now—presence, calm, clarity, courage, compassion, and curiosity—are those that will help leaders navigate complexity, inspire their teams, and maintain their own well-being in the process.
Leadership isn’t just about guiding others. It’s about guiding yourself with intention, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Taking care of yourself—whether through mindfulness, self-reflection, or simply prioritising your own well-being—is essential for leading with strength and empathy.
So, I invite you to invest in yourself. Take the time to cultivate the skills that will not only make you a better leader but also a more fulfilled person.
Start by tuning into your body and mind, checking in with your emotional state, and giving yourself the space to recharge. When you take care of yourself, you create the foundation to lead others with clarity, resilience, and purpose. And that’s the kind of leadership the world needs now more than ever.
If you are interested in developing these skills for yourself and your organisation, reach out for a chat to discuss how coaching or my resilient leadership development programme could help.
Note: This article was written with the support of ChatGPT using my own original writing (LinkedIn blogs and articles) and training materials from my leadership development programme: ‘Inside Out: A Pathway to Resilient Leadership.”