How effective leaders can practise introspection and understand themselves as part of larger systems

This blog series, focused on building a new climate leadership paradigm, is part of CPI's Climate Change Initiative. Partnering with local governments across the world, we test new innovative approaches that can accelerate climate action in cities. Our work is currently focused on four opportunity areas that we believe are ripe for disruption: organisational transformation, building legitimacy, systemic climate finance, and information and learning systems.

Unlocking the power of introspection

Building on the new climate leadership paradigm we introduced in our first blog, this second blog delves deeper into the critical role of self-awareness, introspection, and reflexivity in effective leadership practices. We have gathered insights from leaders across government, grassroots movements, and the public sector to understand the symbiotic relationship between climate leaders and the systems they operate in. 

By embracing introspection and reflexivity as a practice, climate leaders are better equipped to navigate the complex nature of climate action. These practices enable leaders to give those impacted by climate-related decisions the authority, resources, and support needed to actively participate in decision-making processes.

Self-awareness rhymes with leadership success

A systemic approach to change and climate action challenges leaders to intertwine their identities with the larger system.

"It's about how our actions resonate with the world, " one climate leader said.

According to Giles Hutchins and Laura Storm, regenerative leaders are those who have unlocked self and system consciousness and cultivated a sense of self and inner values in how they relate to the world. They know how their inner culture and values influence the system and outer world, and vice versa. Leaders are not separate from their organisation, institutional context, and system but are influenced by them in the same way that they impact the culture and values of their system.

This dynamic flow between self and system opens new opportunities and responsibilities for leaders to engage with inner work and reflection. It prompts leaders to embrace their weaknesses, openly and honestly asking their collaborators and themselves the right questions. Leaders need to be aware of their own patterns of thinking and behaving in uncertainty, and how this manifests in their leadership:

“When people look at leadership through a systems lens, then it's easier to talk about which systems we have power in and which systems need power imbalances to be adjusted.” - Tom Pruunsild from Climate-KIC

Climate leadership is collective leadership

Through the practice of introspection, leaders become better equipped to reflect on their position within the system, and the implicit and explicit power they hold. This process also creates the conditions for leaders to challenge hierarchical decision-making styles.

As leaders identify ways to devolve decision-making power to those closest to the issue, they begin to centre equity in the climate action space. Climate-related challenges must be addressed collectively, redefining the leader’s role by transferring power to those best placed to act. This way, leaders can ensure inclusive decision-making, prioritising cultural competence, contextual understanding, community resilience, and agency.

“The smart ones realise that the pathway to building that more inclusive just approach wasn't about those same people getting smarter about the social justice and equity issues, but rather putting those communities and those community groups at the front of climate action and sustainability.” - Director, EU-funded climate initiative

Vulnerability is the secret ingredient for fruitful collaboration

Our interviews indicate that leaders sometimes struggle to navigate the expectations of driving action while leading with trust and instilling collective accountability.

As leaders invite more perspectives into decision-making, they must embrace the vulnerability and discomfort of collaboration and sharing responsibility. Introspective reflection can help leaders cultivate the humility to empower others and create a culture of vulnerability and honesty to work through complexity. 

“We've had 20 years of sharing best practice and not enough equal attention to building new practice. It's not top-down. It's more systemic and to be systemic, it [leadership] really needs to be more bottom-up and fluid.”  Director, EU-fuded climate initiative

Quiz

Are you ready to uncover your unique climate leadership superpower?

Take our quiz to discover how you are creating impact in the fight against climate change! From introspective insight to collaborative prowess, each question will reveal a different aspect of your potential as a climate leader. Let's dive in and discover what makes you a force for positive change in the world!