Real power isn’t about control or dominance; it’s about alignment. When our ego, that part of us concerned with self-interest and survival, falls in line with our deeper self—our soul or being—we aren’t just running on autopilot. We’re living the life that our heart truly desires. We are no longer confined to the coping mechanisms or superficial drives that our ego consciousness provides. Carl Jung refers to this deeper consciousness as the ‘self’ or ‘I’. This self is not just your intellect (head), or your emotions (heart), or even your actions (will). It’s an amalgamation of all three.
To feel fully engaged and alive, we need a harmonious interplay among our head, heart, and will. Each component can’t exist in a vacuum; they need to feed off one another to create a sense of complete engagement, a fire in our hearts. To lead with purpose.

A Personal Journey: From Multinationals to Meaning
For instance, I was just 27 when I found myself responsible for Global Partnership Management for multinationals. My job involved flying to various corners of the world—Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe—to build strategic relationships. Due to my proficiency in six languages and keen understanding of diverse cultures, I was effective at my job. But after years in this role, the thrill waned, leaving me feeling unfulfilled.
At this point, I began a period of soul-searching. The question wasn’t just what I could do, but what I wanted to do. Identifying this ‘want’ was like looking for a hidden gate—hard to find but crucial for moving forward. After some introspection, I shifted to the field of Learning and Development. This aligned closely with my intrinsic need to make a meaningful impact in the world. I was not only leveraging my ability to understand people and cultures but also fueling my heart’s desire to contribute positively to humanity.
The Universal Search for Authenticity
I see a similar pattern among my clients in career coaching, regardless of whether they are at junior or senior levels. Often, even seasoned executives reach a point where they ask what they genuinely desire, looking beyond obligations or superficial goals like fame and money.
The Takeaway
Real leadership doesn’t stem from ego; it comes from aligning your ego with your true self. It’s about guiding not just your team but also yourself toward authenticity. Once you achieve that, you don’t just enhance your life; you enrich everyone around you. This alignment allows you to move beyond your coping mechanisms, making room for engagement and a fire in your heart that benefits not just you, but also those you lead.
Finding the right alignment between your ego and your deeper self isn’t just soulful; it’s also strategic. So, the next time you assess your leadership skills, look beyond metrics and KPIs; also look within. Are you leading from your ego or your soul? Your answer will define not just your leadership but also your legacy.
Finding purpose for leaders? Read more about Executive Career Coaching
An Executive Career Coaching program for leaders and directors helping them rekindling purpose, and built the necessary leadership skills. Our proven signature program used extensively at amongst others at ABN Amro, Google, Scotch and Soda.
I’m psychically located in Amsterdam, and sometimes Tel Aviv and Barcelona and have also digital coaching clients.