(I018) The Roots: (Part I) GROUNDED in Values
The Roots of Resilient Leadership
“A tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm, but the tree can’t grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon.” — Dalai Lama
What does leadership without deep roots look like? It often feels chaotic—like a ship tossed in a storm without an anchor. Leaders who lack courage shy away from difficult conversations, avoiding risks that could lead to growth. Without vulnerability, they put up walls, creating a culture of fear or distrust. A lack of self-awareness leaves a leader reactive, unable to recognize how their actions affect others. And without perspective, they become consumed by immediate problems, losing sight of the bigger picture.
This kind of leadership doesn’t just falter; it ripples outward, creating teams that feel disconnected, unsupported, and uninspired. The result? Burnout, high turnover, and a lack of trust that erodes the foundation of any organization.
But when leaders cultivate strong roots, everything changes. Teams feel grounded, challenges become opportunities, and leadership inspires action, trust, and resilience.
Here’s how the essential roots of leadership—courage, vulnerability, self-awareness, and perspective—create that transformation:
Courage and Vulnerability: Leading with Authentic Strength
Courage is not about acting without fear; it’s about stepping forward despite it. Poor leadership avoids discomfort, but great leadership embraces it. This is where vulnerability becomes essential. Brené Brown, a thought leader in this space, reminds us, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
When leaders lack vulnerability, their courage becomes hollow—a performance of strength rather than its true expression. They hesitate to share ideas, admit mistakes, or take meaningful risks. But when courage is paired with vulnerability, it becomes authentic.
Imagine a leader who openly acknowledges a mistake, framing it as an opportunity for growth rather than a failure. That act of honesty fosters trust, creating a ripple effect. The team feels safe to innovate, try, and fail, knowing their leader models these behaviors.
This is the root of connection—where courage meets vulnerability and empowers everyone to show up authentically.
Self-Awareness: The Root of Clarity and Integrity
Self-awareness is a leader’s compass. Without it, decisions feel reactive, driven by ego or external pressures rather than alignment with values. Poor leadership often stems from this lack—blind spots grow unchecked, and leaders fail to see how their behavior impacts their teams.
Tasha Eurich’s research highlights that true self-awareness combines internal clarity (knowing your values, strengths, and goals) with external awareness (understanding how others perceive you). Leaders who cultivate this dual awareness create an environment where actions align with intentions, and integrity becomes the foundation of every decision.
Now imagine the opposite—a leader who constantly second-guesses themselves, or worse, one whose decisions alienate their team. The organization becomes a mirror of their uncertainty. Compare that to a leader with deep self-awareness: they are intentional, empathetic, and consistent, guiding their teams with confidence and humility.
Self-awareness allows leaders to step back, reflect, and grow continuously—a quiet but powerful root beneath the surface.
Perspective: Seeing the Forest Beyond the Trees
When leaders are consumed by immediate crises, they lose sight of the bigger picture. This tunnel vision creates a culture of reaction rather than intention. Perspective is the antidote. It helps leaders zoom out, placing challenges in context and reminding them that every setback carries a hidden lesson.
Take a moment to reflect: Have you ever worked with someone who couldn’t see beyond a single problem? Their energy became contagious, creating anxiety within the team. Now picture the opposite—a leader who remains calm in chaos, framing challenges as temporary and solvable. That leader’s perspective becomes a lighthouse, guiding the team to stay focused and resilient.
The Japanese concept of mujō teaches us that all things are impermanent. Perspective allows leaders to embrace this truth, finding meaning and gratitude in every season of leadership.
What It Feels Like to Have Strong Roots
Leadership grounded in courage, vulnerability, self-awareness, and perspective feels steady and intentional. Teams led by such leaders experience trust, empowerment, and clarity. Challenges are no longer threats but opportunities for growth.
Leaders with strong roots create cultures where people feel safe to innovate, valued for their contributions, and united by a shared purpose. They inspire confidence—not through bravado, but by modeling authenticity, humility, and resilience.
Conversely, poor leadership feels fragile and unstable. It creates an environment where people hesitate to speak up, fear making mistakes, and feel unmoored by inconsistent direction.
Strong roots anchor leaders and their teams, enabling them to thrive even in the most turbulent conditions.
How to Strengthen Your Roots
Like a tree, leadership requires nurturing to grow strong and resilient. These qualities don’t develop by accident; they emerge from consistent care and practice. That’s why I’ve developed the GROUNDED framework, a practical guide to help leaders cultivate the values that sustain them and their teams.
The GROUNDED Framework
Grow Curiosity: Approach challenges with wonder and an open mind.
Reflect on Values: Identify and stay aligned with what matters most.
Own Your Story: Embrace your experiences, even the imperfect ones, as a source of growth.
Understand Others: Listen deeply and seek out diverse perspectives.
Nurture Resilience: Build the ability to adapt and thrive amid challenges.
Develop Awareness: Strengthen your understanding of yourself and how others perceive you.
Embody Integrity: Align your actions with your values, even when it’s hard.
Deepen Empathy: Foster compassion for yourself and others, creating stronger connections.
This framework is not a quick fix. It’s an ongoing process of reflection and action that deepens your leadership over time.
And So
Resilient leadership begins long before the storm. It’s rooted in the quiet, deliberate work of cultivating courage, vulnerability, self-awareness, and perspective. These taproots are not just skills—they are the essence of the world’s most inspiring leaders.
As Brené Brown shows us, vulnerability builds trust and fosters innovation. Tasha Eurich’s research reminds us that self-awareness creates alignment and clarity. Even when faced with harsh conditions, the tree grows, deepening its roots and seeking strength from the unseen.
What are you doing today to nurture the roots that will sustain you tomorrow? If you’re ready to align your leadership with your values and unlock your potential, let’s connect.
👉 Book a free discovery call here 👈
Despite all odds, grow deeper. Lead stronger.
