Leadership is one of the most interesting and elusive concepts that we, as a society, grapple with on a regular basis. In essence, leadership is a perfect blend of strategy, emotional intelligence, and psychology. There are many different types of leadership that have been identified over the years, but today I want to focus on two in particular: external and internal leadership.

External leadership is often associated with status and hierarchy. It is a leadership style that focuses on how others perceive your leader’s status, title, or position. This approach to leadership often involves posturing and a preoccupation with superficial factors like how much you talk in meetings or how pretty or impressive your PowerPoint presentation is. Leaders who lead using external leadership often see themselves as being above others and are easily distracted by their position on the organization chart or how many people report to them.

Essentially, external leaders are those who are primarily focused on their own personal ladder of success. They typically dictate policy, dominate discussions, and always get their way. Oftentimes, you’ll find them surrounding themselves with “yes people” who never question their decisions and who are willing to do whatever it takes to advance their agendas. While external leaders may achieve short-term success and meet the prescribed success criteria, they leave a trail of disenchantment, reduced job satisfaction, and fractured community spirit.

On the other side of the coin, internal leadership is a more authentic and powerful approach to leading. It comes from within and is not based on external factors like one’s position or status. Leaders who focus on internal leadership are more concerned with their personal accountability, impact, and values. They lead from a place of authenticity, self-awareness, and humility. They are not intimidated by setbacks or changes in their position on the organization chart. Instead, they focus on building trust, exercising non-reactivity, and positioning themselves as valuable contributors to their organization.

Essentially, internal leaders are those who focus on the needs and opinions of others. They gather a broad church of voices, welcome creativity and challenge, and take a collaborative approach to decision-making. They throw down the gauntlet to others instead of taking up arms, and their success is shared. These types of leaders deploy both a strategic awareness and an emotional intelligence which they bring to bear on shared decisions that affect the lives of others.

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So, what are some of the key differences between external and internal leadership? Let’s take a look.

One of the primary differences between internal and external leadership is where the focus lies. While external leaders are very effective at achieving their goals, they often leave lasting damage in their wake. Internal leaders, however, build up their teams and their communities while still achieving their goals. These types of leaders are truly gurus, maestros, and virtuosi in their own right.

Another key difference between these two approaches to leadership is how leaders handle setbacks. When external leaders are faced with a setback, they are more likely to react negatively and may even walk away in a huff. In contrast, internal leaders are more likely to approach setbacks with humility and self-reflection. They understand that setbacks are a natural part of any career and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Personal accountability is another critical factor that differentiates internal and external leadership. External leaders may make promises that they cannot keep or try to take credit for the work of others. Meanwhile, internal leaders take responsibility for their actions and are transparent about their strengths and weaknesses.

Finally, internal leaders are less reactive and more grounded than external leaders. They understand that true leadership comes from within and develop the discipline to exercise non-reactivity in difficult situations. They do not allow external factors like their position on the organization chart to influence their behavior and are guided by authentic principles and values.

The question that we should be asking ourselves is which type of leader do we want to be? Do we want to be external leaders who are focused solely on our own success, or do we want to be internal leaders who take a collaborative approach to achieving our goals? It’s not always an easy choice to make, but it’s an important one nonetheless.

I urge you to consider your own leadership style and whether you lean towards internal or external leadership. If you find that you rely too heavily on external factors, it may be time to shift your approach. By focusing on personal accountability, authenticity, and non-reactivity, you can become a more effective and inspiring leader, worthy of the trust and respect of your team.

As a society, we need more internal leaders who are willing to listen to others and take a collaborative approach to decision-making. If we want to build stronger teams, create more successful organizations, and ultimately shape a better world, we need to embrace internal leadership. So, I challenge you to become an internal leader in your own life. Take the time to listen to others, welcome creativity and challenge, and make decisions that benefit your team and your community as a whole.

In conclusion, leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It is a complex blend of strategy, emotional intelligence, and psychology. While there are many different types of leadership, today we have focused on the differences between internal and external leadership. While external leaders focus primarily on their own success, internal leaders take a collaborative approach to achieving their goals. As a society, we need more internal leaders who are willing to listen to others and make decisions for the greater good. So, be an internal leader in your own life, and encourage others to do the same.

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**Stop Letting Your Title or Position Dictate Your Leadership Style! Grab YOUR FREE copy of 5 Tips to Shift into Becoming an Internal Leader Guide Today!**