RADICAL AND GENTLE AWARENESS – A NEW KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Guest Author: Minnu Paul, Director of Global Education

“Radical and gentle awareness is not taking away accountability… it gives us the full picture with intense clarity.”

Introduction: The Clash of Extremes

Accountability has long been championed as a pillar of leadership. We're told to take full ownership, stop making excuses, and push harder. But what happens when that push turns into punishment? When striving becomes shame? Somewhere between brutal self-honesty and blind self-compassion lies a third way: radical and gentle awareness.

This idea emerged from a candid conversation between two friends reflecting on ambition, excuses, and the dangers of plateauing. In a world that swings between hustle culture and self-care slogans, this middle path might be exactly what leaders need.

The Case for “Radical and Gentle”

Radical implies total honesty, no hiding, and no bypassing. It’s the willingness to face your blind spots, your procrastination, your pride, and your fears with unflinching clarity.

Gentle is the antidote to the shame spiral. It allows room for emotional processing, understanding, and even curiosity about your failures—without excusing them.

Together, radical and gentle awareness becomes a form of high-responsibility, low-shame reflection.

It doesn’t let you off the hook—but it does make the work of growth more sustainable and human.

Why Leaders Need This Now

In leadership circles, we reward quick decision-making, relentless drive, and visible achievement. But underneath the surface, many leaders are burning out, hiding behind success metrics, or stuck in fear of making mistakes.

Radical and gentle awareness allows leaders to:

• Investigate, not invalidate their reactions and patterns

• Identify core motivators behind procrastination or perfectionism

• Embrace responsibility without falling into self-condemnation

It’s a tool that cultivates both courage and compassion.

How to Practice It

1. Name the Pattern, Not the Person

✘ “I’m lazy.”

✔ “I avoid tasks when I feel insecure about succeeding. What’s underneath that?

2. Use Reflective Prompts, Not Rhetorical Judgment

✘ “Why can’t I get this right?”

✔ “What fear is influencing my decisions right now?”

3. Stay in Inquiry Mode

Radical awareness asks: “What’s really going on here?”

Gentle awareness adds: “How can I face this with care and still move forward?”

4. Get External Mirrors

Find someone who refuses to flatter you but isn’t harsh—a friend, mentor, coach. Let them help you see what you may be avoiding.

Radical and gentle awareness is not softness. It is strength. It requires inner courage and outer humility.

When you know how to hold space for your own full humanity—your greatness, your gaps, your grace—you show up for others with authenticity, empathy, and real authority.

It’s not an excuse. It’s not a crutch.

It’s a way of leading that actually changes lives—starting with your own.