The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

About the Authors

Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp are a trio of transformative thinkers and coaches in the realm of leadership. Together, they bring decades of experience in guiding leaders to embrace more conscious and effective ways of leading. Dethmer, a seasoned speaker and coach, has worked with over 150 CEOs and teams, helping them navigate the complexities of leadership with a focus on self-awareness and emotional intelligence. He co-founded The Conscious Leadership Group alongside Diana Chapman, who has advised over 1,000 leaders and teams. Chapman is a respected speaker, having presented at platforms like TEDx and the Mindful Leadership Summit. Kaley Klemp, the third co-author, is a sought-after executive coach and speaker, known for her expertise in team dynamics and leadership challenges. Together, they have authored The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership to offer a comprehensive guide to leadership that prioritizes self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a sustainable approach to leading others.

Main Idea

The main idea behind The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership is that traditional leadership models are unsustainable because they often neglect the importance of self-management, emotional intelligence, and a healthy work-life balance. The authors argue that these traditional models lead to burnout, disengagement, and unhealthy workplace cultures characterized by competition and greed. To counter this, Dethmer, Chapman, and Klemp propose a new model of leadership—conscious leadership. This approach emphasizes the importance of leaders taking accountability, being open-minded, managing their emotions, and fostering an environment of authenticity and gratitude. The ultimate goal is to create a workplace where leaders and employees alike can thrive, feel fulfilled, and contribute to a positive organizational culture.

Table of Contents

1. Take Accountability
2. Be Open-Minded
3. Understand and Manage Your Emotions
4. Be Authentic
5. Practice Gratitude
6. Reach Your Full Potential
7. Prioritize Happiness and Positivity
8. Adopt a Mindset of Abundance

Take Accountability

The first commitment in conscious leadership is to take total accountability for your actions, decisions, and their outcomes. This means that as a leader, you must recognize that your actions influence your circumstances and that you have the power to create change. When things go wrong, instead of blaming others or external factors, conscious leaders look inward and ask, "What can I learn from this situation?" This mindset shift from blame to accountability is crucial for fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.

"Taking accountability empowers you to see that your actions influence your circumstances, meaning you’re the one with the ability to enact change and do better in the future." — Dethmer, Chapman, and Klemp

To put this into practice: