Learning to Lead From the Inside Out, a Step-by-Step Approach to Transforming Leaders

BY Stephanie Reed | October 30, 2024

Hans-Werner Kaas, co-author of The Journey of Leadership, believes today’s leaders must become more vulnerable, self-aware, and humanist. Kaas has helped guide more than 500 CEOs internationally to achieve authentic self-development and actualize their professional goals of running successful organizations as the co-dean of McKinsey & Company’s CEO leadership program “The Bower Forum.”

The Inside Out methodology used in the program equally upholds personal and professional integrity. This methodology upholds self-awareness as evolved and palpable leadership resulting in a more engaging and ethical company culture and sustainable organizational success.

In a thought leadership spotlight at From Day One’s September virtual conference, Kaas emphasized that adapting to today’s climate calls for collaborative and human-centered strategies.

Our society has evolved past the outdated notions that one person, the tunnel-visioned “imperial CEO,” has all the answers or will be the smartest in the room, Kaas says. Accordingly, it’s essential to align with evolving needs where personal transparency, integrity, and values drive effective leadership, foster meaningful connections both within and beyond the workplace, and create a greater impact in inspiring others.

More meaningful goals and solutions are created with honest dialogue. People connect more deeply with a leader who openly shares their journey toward personal and professional fulfillment.

Kaas cited the importance of self-assessments, such as CEOs reflecting on their respective sense of belonging to determine if they create that sense of belonging for people around them. “How do you show up?” Kaas asked.

Leading From the Inside Out

The Bower Forum involves 3-5 CEOs seeking guidance from mentors such as Kaas, co-author and colleague Ramesh Srinivasan, and other former CEOs. It consists of a two-fold program combining internal and external sources and factors.

First, the attendees are asked to describe their personal and organizational progress. Before arriving at the forum, they are also encouraged to bring feedback from their executive teams, mentors, family, or friends on their emotional outlook, self-awareness, empathy, vulnerability, and humility.

After attendees share their current stage in their leadership journey, they participate in a listening and immersion exercise. During this exercise, they listen to their peers’ stories, exploring the experiences and motivations that may have shaped specific behaviors or thought patterns in each individual. Their peers brainstorm solutions to those existing behavioral and thought patterns that may prevent them from achieving the kind of leadership they aspire to.

Hans-Werner Kaas, the co-dean of the CEO leadership program “The Bower Forum,” spoke during the thought leadership spotlight (company photo)

Next, Kaas helps develop ways for the attendee to self-actualize their vision of becoming the leader they want to be for their executive team and organization. The emphasis is on the humanistic aspect of achieving their vision: “Because leadership change starts with yourself,” Kaas said.

Attendees proceed to create a commitment plan: a roadmap of how they can effectively take charge of their personal lives and then show up for their teams and organizations with the same commitment to authenticity, well-being, and their vision of success.

The Bower Forum incorporates several elements of the self-assessments found within the book “The Journey of Leadership.” For example, at the end of every chapter in the book, there are questions for self-reflection where readers can pinpoint their current position in life, where they want to go, and who they want to be.

The book also contains examples of renowned industry pioneers incorporating more vulnerable leadership. Mark Fields, former CEO of the Ford Motor Company, initially experienced dissent in Japan and sought a listening and immersion session from his peers and mentors to gain more perspective of Japanese culture and empathy and understanding of the executive team questioning his leadership.

The Bower Forum has run more than 145 programs over 12 years with CEOs in business and non-business sectors, gaining unique insight and comprehensive leadership guidance contributing to the success of “The Journey to Leadership,” says Kaas.

What sets the program and book apart from other leadership coaching is the strong focus on human-centered leadership. This marks a monumental shift from the traditional, authoritative CEO model to one centered on empathy and connection. “No surprise, the change, and the transformation always starts with ourselves. But it’s also the hardest thing to take a step back.”

Editor's note: From Day One thanks our partner, McKinsey & Company, for sponsoring this thought leadership spotlight. 

Stephanie Reed is a freelance news, marketing, and content writer. Much of her work features small business owners throughout diverse industries. She is passionate about promoting small, ethical, and eco-conscious businesses.

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