The Most Overlooked Leadership Skill

Let’s talk about leadership for a second.

Not the textbook kind. Not the “inspirational quotes on social media” kind. But the real kind—the kind you live every single day, whether you realize it or not.

Because the truth is, we are all leading something. Maybe it’s a business. Maybe it’s a team. Maybe it’s a family. Or maybe, at this very moment, you’re simply trying to lead yourself through the beautifully chaotic experience that is life.

But the question is: How are you leading?

Are you leading with stress, urgency, and the constant pressure to do more?
Or are you leading with love?

Now, I know what you might be thinking. Love? In leadership? In business? Really?

Yes. Really.

And we say that as individuals who lived as monks for decades and are now leading a purpose-driven business - two worlds that, at first glance, couldn’t seem more different. But you know what we realized?

The best leaders - whether guiding a spiritual community or running a company - are the ones who refuse to trade their state of being for success.

Because if you lose yourself in the process, was it really success at all?

The Cost of Leading Without Love

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that leadership is about being the smartest person in the room - the one who has all the answers, the one who “gets things done” at any cost.

But we’ve seen what happens when love is left out of the equation. We’ve seen leaders make decisions from fear - afraid of losing control, afraid of failing, afraid of not being enough.

And when fear is in the driver’s seat, it doesn’t just affect you - it shapes the culture around you.

A leader filled with stress creates a team that walks on eggshells. A leader driven by insecurity builds an environment of competition, not collaboration. A leader who ignores their own well-being unconsciously sends the message: This is the price of success.

But does it have to be?

A Different Way to Lead

When we transitioned from monkhood to entrepreneurship, we had to ask ourselves:
"Can we achieve our dreams, make a difference, and live a purpose-driven life without it costing us our peace?"

Why should peace, love, and joy - states of being that nurture us in every way - be negotiable factors in success and leadership?

Why should we accept stress as the default setting for success?

We didn’t. And we won’t.

We are committed to building our business the same way we approach our spiritual practice - with love at the center. That doesn’t mean avoiding tough decisions or pretending everything is easy. It means choosing not to let fear dictate our choices. It means staying grounded, no matter what.

The journey isn’t always smooth. There are challenges. There are moments that demand growth. But one thing we remain dedicated to is our inner experience as we move through life.

Because leading with peace and love isn’t about avoiding obstacles - none of us can do that. It’s about choosing who we want to be in the face of them.

People Learn from Who You Are, Not Just What You Do

The beautiful thing about leadership is that people aren’t just listening to your words - they’re watching you.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Children see, children do.”

Well, guess what? That doesn’t change when we grow up. People pick up on energy, behavior, and the unspoken messages we send.

A leader who operates with love creates a space where others feel safe, seen, and valued. A leader who moves with trust inspires confidence in those around them.

So, ask yourself:

• If someone were to follow your energy, where would it lead them?
• If they mirrored your state of being, would they feel peace or pressure?
• If you were leading others the way you lead yourself, would they feel supported?

Because whether you realize it or not, you are leading. And the people around you - your team, your family, your friends - are absorbing more from you than you think.

Start, and Keep Going

So, here are some final thoughts for you to reflect on:

What would change if you started leading yourself and others with greater peace and love?

Not as a fluffy, feel-good concept. But as a daily commitment.

What if you were to:

• Lead without losing yourself.
• Succeed without sacrificing your peace.
• Achieve without fear running the show.

Whether you’re just beginning this journey or have been walking it for years, what matters most is that you keep going. Keep growing.

Because this life isn’t just about what you achieve and contribute.

It’s about who you become while doing it.