Yes, Upward & Inward, But Also Outward Together

Image from Upward & Inward

For many high achievers, the adage "onward and upward" can be motivating and just what we need to shift back into action. However, this well-meaning phrase often dismisses the complexity of our lives and the challenges we face. Your brain [the annoying part!] might say,

"I know you're swimming in uncharted territory, and our world grows more chaotic and complex by the minute. Yes, you're balancing relationships, a career, and promises you've made to yourself around health and boundaries. But now is not the time to tend to those. Put on your mask and get back out there to achieve and produce more!"

We call this hustling for worth. This approach is unsustainable, lonely, and ineffective in the long term.

At Upward & Inward, we believe there's a more holistic approach to leadership, personal growth, and organizational change – one that doesn't require burning yourself out in the process and that brings others along with you. We believe true leadership is not defined solely by position or authority but by the ability to inspire, influence, and drive transformative impact.

Understanding Our Name

The name "Upward & Inward" signifies looking within ourselves, deep into our thoughts and motivations, tethering to our values, to understand who we are, what keeps us stuck, and what drives us. Upward & Inward, it is about U&I. Through introspection and aligned action, U&I honors connection and the strength and, dare we say, joy found in collective action, change, and progress with purpose. “Upward & Inward” or U&I encapsulates our philosophy: 

• Upward: Aspiring for transformative growth and seeing the bigger picture.

• Inward: Listening to our inner wisdom and aligning with our true selves.

• Outward: Leveraging community and taking iterative action in the real world.

• Forward: Moving together towards a flourishing future through collaboration.

The Simultaneous Journey of Self-Mastery & Outward Impact

The path of an Impact Leader is both inward and outward, a delicate balance that must be achieved simultaneously. It's imperative to go inward, to understand ourselves deeply, and align with our core values. Yet, we must also turn outward, engaging with the world and those around us. This dual focus is not just a goal but a continuous practice.

• Self-Mastery: Impact Leaders are in a constant state of self-management, tethered to their values and ethics. You recognize that personal growth is not a destination but an ongoing journey.

• Outward Focus: While mastering themselves, Impact Leaders keep the greater good and the humans in their care at the forefront of their minds and hearts. This involves discussion and debate, listening, and radical collaboration.  You understand that conscious leadership is about service and positive impact.

• The Balancing Act: Like masterful magicians always at practice, Impact Leaders hone their skills in both self-awareness and external influence. You navigate the complexities of personal growth while simultaneously driving meaningful change in their organizations and communities.

This delicate balance of inward reflection and outward action is the hallmark of #ImpactLeaders. It's a challenging but rewarding path that leads to authentic, influential leadership and lasting positive change.

Leadership in the Modern World

• Flourishing Over Languishing: Ignoring our deeper wisdom in favor of constant action is a recipe for burnout or boreout. This is not the 'I'm tired and catching up on rest over the weekend' type of burnout. This is a 'face-to-gravel crashes that instantly ripple across our mind, heart, and gut' type of burnout. It's seemingly out of the blue, yet we've ignored the warning signals all along.

• Leading with Influence: Drawing inspiration from Robert Greene's "Laws of Human Nature," we believe in establishing authority through service to the greater good. Listening, understanding others' needs, and being of service are the cornerstones of impactful leadership. As Greene suggests, "Focus outwardly... hone your listening skills, absorbing yourself in the words and nonverbal cues of others... dedicate yourself to earning people's respect... consider being a leader a tremendous responsibility".

• Harnessing Intrinsic Motivation: As a certified peak-performance flow coach through the Flow Research Collective, I understand the profound impact intrinsic motivation and flow states can have on performance. We focus on and integrate the five powerful intrinsic drivers:

1. Curiosity

2. Passion

3. Purpose

4. Autonomy

5. Mastery

These drivers produce dopamine in the brain and are our biggest internal motivators. They work in sequence: curiosity becomes passion, which becomes purpose. Once you have that purpose, what your body and soul want is the freedom (autonomy) to pursue it, along with developing the necessary skills (mastery).

Taking Action in the Real World

The "outward" aspect of our approach isn't just about community – it's about taking tangible steps in the real world. We encourage leaders to:

1. Experiment and play with new ideas

2. Iterate on their approaches

3. Learn through hands-on experiences

4. Leverage available resources effectively

This practical application of insights gained from inward reflection and upward aspiration is what truly drives personal and professional growth.

Our Mission

Upward & Inward empowers Impact Leaders to unlock their potential and create meaningful change. We drive engagement by reigniting individuals and teams, increasing connection to purpose, and fostering innovation and aligned productivity.

Ready to explore this new approach to leadership? Schedule a 30-minute Impact Leader session to discuss your challenges and aspirations.