What are the Inner Development Goals? Our pathway to successful leadership that will change the world (Copy)
Climate action. Good health and wellbeing. Decent work and economic conditions Gender equality. Peace and justice. Sustainable cities and communities.
These are just some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed and adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. Providing a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, both now and into the future — at its heart, the SDGs are an urgent call for action that we all must answer.
The date set to achieve these goals was 2030. And on this current trajectory, our report card tells us we may not get there in time.
In fact, it’s fast become obvious that, even though we have a strong and measurable vision of what needs to happen in the SDGs, the human inner capacity to deal with the sheer complexity, uncertainty and scale of the challenges before us is *actually* our greatest challenge. We’re biologically wired for simple, repeatable patterns that give us safety in certainty. And these are very unhelpful habits when faced with changing the world.
*Gulp* It’s a sobering reality, and we’re all aware of what’s at stake.
At foundher., our commitment is to never leave you stuck. We are up for the challenge, and we know you are too. Want a little good news then?
In order to successfully lead the future we want, it’s not about what happens ‘out there’. It’s about becoming fit for complexity by giving our own internal iOS a mighty upgrade.
Emerging research shows us the inner skills and capabilities we need to develop in order to have a chance at achieving sustainable world change. And this is the starting point for what’s called the 'Inner Development Goals', and the foundation of our work equipping ambitious leaders with a new toolkit for the modern world.
In the words of Marshall Goldsmith, ‘what got us here, won’t get us there’. Our success hinges on our ability to adapt to and adopt new habits and ways of thinking. It’s time to change our trajectory, to change course, and to roll up our sleeves and do the ‘inner work’.
So, are you ready to be somebody who will do something about that?
INTRODUCING THE INNER DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The Inner Development Goals or ‘IDGs’ is an essential framework of transformative capabilities, qualities and skills required for us to achieve the SDGs and fundamentally change our global systems.
Originally founded in 2020 by the Ekskäret Foundation, The New Division and 29k Foundation, the IDGs are a global co-creation between researchers, experts and practitioners in leadership development and sustainability.
Possibly the greatest accelerator to reach the SDGs and create a prosperous future for all humanity, foundher.’s own Elana Robertson is one of a select number of co-creators who have been contributing to the goals for a number of years.
A ROADMAP FOR SUSTAINABLE WORLD CHANGE
As you can see from this short but inspiring video (literally it’s five minutes, definitely worth it), the current IDG framework represents five critical dimensions and 23 science-based skills and/or qualities from Relationship to Self to Caring for Others and the World.
These inner abilities, skills and other qualities give us a roadmap for not only what we need to do to achieve meaningful and sustainable change, but who we need to be on that path.
The cutting edge of human inner growth and development, the IDGs give us a potent way to reshape systems from the inside out, making them not only critical for leaders working to address the SDGs — but critical for helping us all live purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives.
Read the full report: Inner Development Goals: Background, method and the IDG framework ↗
TRADITIONAL vs NEXT GEN LEADERSHIP
At foundher., our purpose is to equip you with tools to navigate the volatility, uncertainty, chaos, and ambiguity of our modern world. And what we know for certain is that our current world is demanding a new kind of leader right now.
While right now we might live in an overly industrialised, capitalist, patriarchal paradigm, the tides are changing and they’re changing fast.
Unfortunately (for some), the future will not be shaped by those who continue to run on a traditional, horizontal operating system, propelled by ego, scarcity, and power over. We call this ‘traditional, horizontal’ leadership.
What are some of the signs our current leadership model is not working and needs an upgrade?
Leaders are lauded for their ability to approach problems by isolating and simplifying them → siloing problems does not take into account our interconnectedness and interdependence, and is instead *really* unhelpful for navigating complexity and volatility ‘out there’
Leaders derive authority from a title beginning with ‘C’ and by ticking off qualifications in Negotiating 101, Conflict Resolution 201, and Communicating with Influence 301 → yet workplace disruption, miscommunication, discrimination, and harassment are still widely prevalent
Strategies are planned top-down in boardrooms across 5 and 10 year time horizons, plotting linear pathways from a to b to c, with risk and uncertainty seen as something to ‘avoid’ at all costs → leaders are left scrambling when chaos inevitably emerges as they run back to the boardroom to plan
You may recognise some of these signals as the ‘way we DO things,’ and the truth is — they are helpful *some* of the time. However, those times are becoming less and less frequent as uncertainty and unpredictability increases more and more.
Speeding up your actions and your team, continuously planning and re-planning, and spending less time being and thinking, and more time mindlessly doing…is 100% not the solution.
Instead, the future is calling out for leaders who are prepared to grow and expand themselves and put people, purpose and planet alongside profit for the prosperity of all.
We need next generation leaders who are decidedly ‘ecocentric’ not egocentric and committed to vertical development and new ways of thinking.
STEP INTO A NEW WAY OF BEING
If you are ready to create a shift in your leadership and step into a rhythm that will support you to thrive in our complex world, starting with building a sustainable high performing rhythm, our signature program PACE is the perfect place to start.
Underpinned by the Inner Development Goals and our own Ripple Effect Framework, you will gain practical and purpose-driven skills to create sustainable change, on your terms.
With only three intakes a year, PACE is now enrolling. Sign up here to learn more.
Also, if you would like to learn more about the IDGs and how to create positive world impact through your leadership, sign up to receive more science-backed and heart-packed insights here.