Conscious Leadership for Women. How To Practice It Every Day!

Conscious Leadership for Women: "Leading with Intention"

Hello and welcome to the next instalment of our new blog series on cultivating personal leadership mindsets. This series is for every woman, regardless of her role—whether you are a founder, a CEO, a frontline team member, or currently navigating your career path. Our goal is to give you tools to help you thrive at work by developing your own inner leader. 

Today, we'll explore Conscious Leadership, a mindset that is about leading with intention and self-awareness. 

1. What is Conscious Leadership? 

Conscious leadership is about being deeply aware of our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, and how they influence our actions and impact others. It’s a way of leading that starts from within, focusing on self-awareness and integrity. 

The AMOC report defines Conscious Leadership as being "deeply connected with who you are and what is truly important to you" and "demonstrating a heightened awareness of how your behaviour impacts others". 

In our daily lives, this can look like: 

• Checking in with yourself: Before reacting to a challenging situation at work, you take a moment to understand your own emotions. 

• Considering your impact: You are mindful of how your words or actions might be received by a colleague or a client. 

• Aligning actions with values: You ensure your daily decisions, big or small, are in sync with your personal values, such as integrity or empathy. 

2. Why Conscious Leadership for Women Matters at Work

For women, conscious leadership is not just a strength—it is a superpower. It helps us navigate the complexities of our professional and personal lives by creating a foundation of authenticity and resilience. By leading consciously, you can foster a sense of trust and psychological safety in any environment. 

This mindset allows you to: 

• Navigate with clarity: When you understand your own biases and motivations, you can make more ethical and fair decisions, grounded in integrity. 

• Build stronger connections: Leading with empathy and transparency builds trust and fosters an environment where others feel safe and supported. 

• Find your unique voice: Conscious leadership encourages you to tap into your "feminine leadership strengths" like empathy, intuition, and collaboration, allowing you to lead in a way that is authentic to you. 

  

3. How Women Can Develop Conscious Leadership

Conscious leadership is not a destination; it's a daily practice. Here are a few things you can do to cultivate this mindset: 

• Develop self-awareness: This is the foundation of conscious leadership. Start a journaling practice, reflect on your day, or try mindfulness meditation to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and motivations. 

• Practice intentionality: Before starting a project or a difficult conversation, set a clear intention. Ask yourself, "What is my goal here, and how can I achieve it in a way that aligns with my values?" 

• Listen more, talk less: Conscious leaders listen with the intent to understand, not just to respond. This simple shift can transform your interactions and help you gain a more complete view of any situation. 

• Embrace vulnerability: Admitting you don't have all the answers or sharing a learning moment from a mistake is a sign of strength, not weakness. It builds trust and encourages a culture of learning and growth. 

• View challenges as allies: Instead of seeing people or situations as obstacles, try viewing them as opportunities to learn and grow. This reframes your perspective and helps you find solutions rather than getting stuck in blame. 

4. Resources To Help Women Grow Conscious Leadership

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, here are a few recommended resources: 

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: This book explores the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in effective leadership. 

• The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman: This book investigates why women often lack confidence and provides strategies to boost it, an essential component of conscious leadership. 

• Conscious Leadership: A Journey from Ego to Genius by John Mackey and Steve McIntosh: This book, while not specifically for women, provides a powerful framework for personal growth in leadership. 

What Next For Women Who Want To Lead Consciously

At Women of Our Time, we're here to help.  

• We offer a free 1-2-1 service, access to workshops, and other products designed to support you every step of the way with the IAG you need.  

• Check out the latest episode of ‘This Is Me’ podcast. Hear authentic stories and real conversations—click below to listen now! 

• Ready to make a difference? Donate your hour today to support and uplift women who need it most at https://www.womenofourtime.co.uk/donate-an-hour 

Conscious Leadership for Women in the UK. FAQs

Q. What is conscious leadership for women in the workplace?

A. Conscious leadership for women in the workplace is a way of leading where a woman is aware of her values, emotions and impact on others, and makes decisions that align with them. It helps women lead with clarity and integrity rather than reacting on autopilot.

Q. How can a woman start practising conscious leadership at work in the UK?

A. A woman in the UK can start practising conscious leadership by checking in with her emotions before key meetings, pausing before reacting, and asking how her decisions affect other people. Many women also use simple tools like journalling, reflection and short mindfulness breaks during the working day.

Q. Why is conscious leadership important for women in leadership roles in the UK?

A. Conscious leadership is vital for women in leadership roles in the UK because it supports ethical decisions, transparent communication and psychological safety. When a woman leads consciously, she shows other women that it is possible to succeed without copying traditional, often masculine, leadership styles.

Q. Can conscious leadership help women deal with imposter syndrome at work?

A. Yes, conscious leadership can help women deal with imposter syndrome at work by encouraging honest self-reflection and kinder self-talk. When a woman understands her strengths, values and impact, she is less likely to believe the inner voice that tells many women they are not good enough.

Q. What daily habits support conscious leadership for busy working women?

A. Helpful daily habits for busy working women include starting the day with a clear intention, taking a short pause before difficult conversations, and ending the day with a quick reflection on what went well. These small practices help a woman stay aligned with her values and make choices that benefit both herself and other women around her.

Q. Where can a woman in the UK find support to develop conscious leadership skills?

A. A woman in the UK can find support for conscious leadership through women’s leadership programmes, coaching, and communities like Women of Our Time. These spaces connect women with expert guidance, peer support and practical tools that help a woman grow her confidence and leadership style in a way that feels authentic.