In my last post, I talked about unconscious drivers — which are deeply embedded beliefs and assumptions that shape how we lead, often without us realizing.
They influence things like:
Who we see as “leadership material”
What traits we reward
How we define success
The good news is that with intention and curiosity, we can bring these drivers into the light and start rewriting them.
Here are three ways to begin:
1. Listen to the language.
Pay attention to the phrases you hear (and say) especially during key moments like hiring, feedback, or promotion.
Statements like “They’re not ready yet” or “That’s just how things are done here” can be clues pointing to an underlying belief worth exploring.
2. Surface your leadership story.
Ask yourself: Who shaped my view of leadership?
What experiences, cultures, or mentors helped form my standards of “confidence,” “credibility,” or “executive presence”?
When we trace the origins, we start to see what we’ve unconsciously inherited and what we may want to update.
3. Get curious, not critical.
Uncovering unconscious drivers isn’t about blame, it’s about growth.
Invite your team into the process.
You might ask:
“What assumptions might be shaping our decisions right now?”
“Whose voice isn’t being heard in this conversation?”
“What would this look like through a different lens?”
This is such important leadership work.
The kind that takes courage, reflection, and ongoing practice.
As I said in my TEDx:
“You don’t have to be perfect but you do have to be aware.”
What’s one phrase or belief you’ve started to rethink?
#Leadership #ConsciousLeadership #InclusiveLeadership #UnconsciousDrivers #ExecutiveCoaching #TEDx #LanguageMatters #MindsetShift #Belonging #SelfAwareness #RewritingTheScript
