Inner development ressources

Want to know more about inner development?

The inspiration to develop the InnerDevelopmentKit comes from leadership-, personal- and team development theory and practice. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about working with inner development / personal growth / human development

FAQ

Inner development refers to the growth of essential skills and capacities that help individuals and teams navigate complexity, collaborate effectively, and drive meaningful change. Research shows that self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are crucial for leadership, teamwork, and organizational success. By focusing on inner development, we strengthen our ability to create the external changes we seek in both professional and personal life.

“Outer change starts within.” This principle is at the core of all major change theories. True transformation happens when we develop self-awareness, challenge our mindsets, and improve how we relate to others. Using practical tools that foster deep reflection and dialogue is a great starting point to ensure that your inner growth focus strengthen your ability to succeed with the real-world and outer impact you are aiming for.

Anyone can – and should – benefit from working with their inner development in order to lead themselves and create followership. Here are some arguments for why working with inner development is beneficial:

  • Leaders improve decision-making, autenticity and communication
  • Teams build psychological safety and improve collaboration
  • HR professionals & consultants facilitate change processes that address both inner and outer change because they complement and reinforce each other
  • Coaches & educators guide individuals and students to greater self-awareness and resilience

Strong leadership begins with inner clarity. By focusing on inner development, leaders build essential skills that are fundamental to their ability to lead in a sustainable way. This includes training in the 5 core dimensions skills of being, thinking, relating, collaborating and acting. By integrating inner development into leadership training, organisations can develop emotionally intelligent, adaptable and purpose-driven leaders.

Effective teams are built on trust, open communication and shared purpose. By working with Inner Development, teams develop psychological safety, improve dialogue skills and align individual strengths with collective goals. Only when teams are aligned, engaged and feel safe can they perform and solve the external challenges they face.

Organisations often focus on process and strategy. But true transformation requires a shift in mindset, new kinds of dialogue and an inward focus. Working on inner development helps organisations to strengthen leadership and build teams with high levels of psychological safety, capable of driving impactful, sustainable, human-centred change.

Background: Inner Development Goals

The IDG organisation is a strong and fast growing community with change makers, consultant, educators and coaches from all over the world with the same focus and belief: Creating change that starts within.

The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) launched in 2022 by the non-profit organization by the same name. They research, collect, and communicate science-based skills and qualities that help us to live purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives. The purpose of the IDGs is to bring the power of inner development to all global challenges faced by humanity. The IDG’s consist of 23 inner strengths, divided into 5 categories: Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaboration and Acting. Today, the framework is recognised around the world as a tool for driving change.

The IDG’s are based on four key beliefs:


1. There is a connection between the external world we see and our internal state of mind.
2. Developing our inner strengths increases our capacity to create successful external change.
3. People have the potential to grow! By looking inward, we can possess our untapped resources.
4. Everything we do matters! To achieve successful change, we must be aware of our Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaboration and Acting.

If you want more background information on the Inner Development Goals I can highly recommend you visit Inner Development Goals where you can access videos, academic papers, logos, information about workshops, summits, Hubs etc.

if you are interested in getting involved, or to know more about the thoughts leaders on Inner Development, se below.

How to get involved?

If you are interested in becoming a part of the IDG community, I can recommend you become a part of a local hub. There are app. 700 Hubs across the world – one new is created daily. You can find a list of Hubs here.

If you are near Copenhagen, you are welcome to join our “Copenhagen Leadership Hub” where we meet and discuss Inner Development leadership topics. Send a request to participate and get updates about our activities in our linkedin group here.

If you are a leader, work with personal- or team development, a coach or a consultant, I can recommend you participate in the LinkedIn-group: IDG@Work. You can apply to join the group here.

If you’ll give yourself a boost of inspiration I can not recommend enough to experience the yearly IDG-summit. Next Summit is Oct. 2025. Get an idea what it is like  – watch the IDG Summit film here: IDG Summit 2024 film 

Links to inspiring thoughts leaders on Inner Development

By integrating diverse perspectives from thought leaders across various disciplines, the IDG framework offers a comprehensive approach to inner development. It emphasizes the cultivation of self-awareness, cognitive flexibility, empathy, collaborative abilities, and proactive change-making.

This holistic model equips individuals and organizations with the tools needed to navigate complexity and contribute effectively to achieving sustainable development goals.

Below the list of the thought leaders who have significantly influenced the IDG framework with the Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework. By exploring these, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the research and theories that form the foundation of inner development and transformational leadership:

Amy Edmondson – Psychological Safety and Team Learning

Edmondson’s work focuses on creating environments where individuals feel safe to take risks and engage in open dialogue, which is crucial for effective team collaboration. Watch her Ted talk here.

Otto Scharmer – Theory U and Systems Transformation

Scharmer introduces Theory U, a framework for leading profound change by accessing one’s highest future potential and understanding the deeper sources of collective behavior shifting in consciousness from ego-centric to eco-centric awareness. Presencing means to operate from the emerging future. Learn more about The Presencing Institute here.

Peter Senge – Learning Organizations and Systems Thinking

Senge emphasizes the importance of systems thinking in organizations, advocating for learning cultures that adapt and evolve in complex environments. Watch Senge introduce Systems Thinking here.

Robert Kegan & Lisa Lahey – Adult Development and Immunity to Change

Kegan and Lahey explore the psychological processes that hinder change, offering strategies to overcome internal resistance and promote personal development. Read more about Adult development theory here.

Jennifer Garvey Berger – Growth Mindset and Complexity in Leadership

Garvey Berger delves into how leaders can navigate complexity by adopting a growth mindset and embracing uncertainty as a pathway to innovation. Find more information on Jenifer Garvey Berger

Renée Lertzman – Psychological Insights for Environmental and Social Change

Lertzman combines psychology and environmental studies to address eco-anxiety, providing tools for meaningful engagement in sustainability efforts. Watch his Tedtalk: “How to turn climate anxiety into action” here.

Daniel J. Siegel – Interpersonal Neurobiology and Mindfulness

  • Siegel’s work integrates neuroscience and mindfulness, offering insights into how self-awareness and emotional regulation can enhance personal and professional relationships. Learn more and find courses with Dr. Dan Siegel on the Mind, the Brain, and Relationships here

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