Epilogue: From Position-Power to Self-Power—Integrating the Lessons of Holistic Leadership

Holistic leadership marks the transition from position-power to self-power. This chapter presents the concept of self-leadership and consolidates the key emergent lessons of holistic leadership. Self-leadership is built on the understanding that everybody has two most basic needs—the need to express oneself and the need to surpass oneself. These needs may not always be very well-articulated, but they are there in and through all our strivings and pursuits. Self-leadership accomplishes both in one stroke by inspiring excellence in oneself and others and by enabling people to express and surpass themselves. If we want to be effective leaders, we first need to be able to lead ourselves effectively. Self-leadership is about leading yourself authentically. When as leaders we are in touch with our deeper, truer authentic self, we’re also able to connect with the authentic self of others. Self-leadership fosters the holistic development of a leader’s personality in all its dimensions—physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Guided by Self-knowledge, holistic leaders express their authentic self in all that they do and surpass themselves by serving for the good of others.