Inside Out Leadership as an act of inner freedom
Deepak Chopra’s definition of enlightenment is: “consciously choosing freedom from the conditioned mind” - it invites us to notice, question, and ultimately liberate ourselves from the unconscious patterns that shape how we think, feel, and behave.
It’s not about becoming perfect or transcending all human messiness, but about becoming more aware, more free, and more intentional in how we lead ourselves and others.
What is the “conditioned mind”?
The conditioned mind is the collection of beliefs, assumptions, habits, and emotional responses we’ve absorbed through our upbringing, culture, and experience. It’s the autopilot that drives us when we’re not fully present - the voice that says:
“I have to prove my worth through achievement.”
“Conflict is dangerous.”
“Leaders must have all the answers.”
“If I disappoint others, I’ll be rejected.”
These beliefs helped us survive, succeed, or stay safe at one point (or several) - but when left unexamined, they narrow our capacity to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion.
What does it look like to choose freedom from the conditioned mind?
It looks like pausing before reacting, noticing the script, and choosing a new response - even when your nervous system is urging you to fall back on what’s familiar.
✨ Example 1: The People-Pleaser
A leader conditioned to equate harmony with safety might avoid giving hard feedback. Their mind whispers: “If I upset someone, they’ll turn against me.”
Freedom looks like:
Noticing the discomfort, recognising the old pattern, and choosing to speak with honesty and care - knowing discomfort isn’t the same as danger.
✨ Example 2: The Overachiever
Conditioned to equate self-worth with productivity, this leader feels anxious when they slow down. Doing becomes a form of self-protection.
Freedom looks like:
Pausing. Noticing the fear. Choosing rest without guilt. Trusting that being is just as valuable as doing.
✨ Example 3: The Perfectionist
This leader holds impossibly high standards - for themselves and others. Their conditioned mind says: “If everything isn’t just right, I’ll be judged. I’ll fail. I’ll lose control.”
When operating on autopilot, this can show up as:
Micromanaging
Being hyper-critical
Feeling disappointed in others
Playing the persecutor role (“Why can’t anyone get it right?”)
Freedom looks like:
Catching the pattern in real time. Asking, “What’s underneath this need for control?” It might be fear, shame, or old pressure to earn love through performance. From that awareness, the leader can choose to trust, delegate, and relate to others as capable - even when their way is different.
How do we do this?
This is where Inside Out Leadership comes in - the work of turning inward so we can lead more clearly, powerfully, and humanely outward.
Awareness - Notice your patterns. Name your stories. Observe your autopilot without judgment.
Regulation - Soothe your nervous system so you can stay present. Breathe. Move. Ground. Reset.
Inquiry – Ask yourself:
“What am I believing right now?”
“Is that really true?”
“Who would I be without that belief?”Rewriting – Choose new beliefs and ways of being
“I can lead without knowing everything.”
“Mistakes don’t make me unworthy.”
“I can be powerful and kind.”
Practice – Live it. Make small, conscious choices. Practice freedom - even in discomfort.
Inside Out Leadership: A step towards inner freedom
Inside Out Leadership doesn’t hand you enlightenment (if only we could do that in four short months!) - but it’s a step closer.
It’s the daily, imperfect practice of waking up from the old stories and leading from something deeper than fear, ego, or habit.
It’s about choosing presence over performance. Curiosity over certainty. Connection over control.
And every time we interrupt our conditioned mind and lead from the inside out, we reclaim a bit more freedom - for ourselves, and for those we lead.