To be an effective leader, do the inner work

I've got Leadership on the mind this President's Day.

Not only is it a major theme of this national holiday, it's also the theme of the month in the Compass Club and the Leadership Lab!

The presidency is, in some ways, the ultimate leadership position.

When I think about what it takes to show up as a leader on that level, I think of this quotation from Michael Meade:

"It is most common in this world for people to rise up to the top who have not done the inner work of transforming themselves into themselves."

I love his phrase: transforming themselves into themselves.

Leaders must create space for the inner work that will prepare—and sustain—them to create working environments where people will flourish and meaningful work can take root.

No matter where you are in your leadership journey, it's worth your while to turn towards that inner work to understand who you are, what you value, and what it means to you to lead authentically.

What does it mean to you to transform into yourself?

How could it enhance your effectiveness as a leader?