“Parh parh aalam faazil hoya, Kade apne aap nu parheya hi nai.” ~ Bulleh Shah

Meaning: “I read and read so much, gained vast knowledge, yet never once did I read myself.”

Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet and philosopher who used simple language to convey profound truths about self-discovery. This is one of my favourite verses by Bulleh Shah. I’ve shared only the first two lines here and would encourage you to read the whole piece. It never goes out of relevance for leaders.

Leaders often immerse themselves in data, strategies, and management models, yet the most important information gets comparatively little attention: ‘The SELF’. Authentic leadership begins with introspection. It reveals values, inner drivers, fears, and needs that no report can capture. Without introspection, leadership becomes noisy and scattered. With it, actions become purpose-driven, trust grows naturally, and impact becomes real and lasting.

What might you discover if you turned the same attention inward that you give to data and strategy?