Leadership from the Inside Out is an approach to leadership that starts with understanding oneself including personal values, beliefs, behaviours, roles and responses to pressure and how these influence the way we lead, make decisions and respond to complex challenges. It also encourages leaders to step outside their comfort zones, take considered risks, experiment with new approaches and be willing to act in situations where there may not be a clear or easy solution.
This was the focus of the second module of the Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Ocean Management Leadership for Change Programme, attended by Tekura Moekaa and Elizabeth Munro from the National Environment Service, alongside participants from 14 Pacific countries.
The five-day module, “Exercising Leadership – Leadership from the Inside Out,” focused on developing the personal and organisational leadership capabilities needed to navigate complex issues. The module also created space to exchange experiences with participants from other countries and consider how different approaches can inform leadership practice.
Leading change in marine governance can be complex. It involves working across government agencies, communities, traditional and local governance systems and other stakeholders. It also requires consideration of environmental protection, cultural values, community priorities, livelihoods and sustainable economic development.
In this environment, leadership can require a willingness to challenge existing approaches, test new ideas and take considered risks while remaining responsive to communities, evidence and national priorities. It requires leaders who can build relationships, work across sectors, understand different perspectives and have the confidence to make decisions, take considered risks and lead change in complex and uncertain environments.
Rather than focusing only on technical knowledge, the module encouraged participants to reflect on how they lead themselves and others when faced with uncertainty, competing interests and complex challenges. Learning included peer consultation, personal reflection, experiential learning, active experimentation and professional coaching.
Participants worked through real leadership challenges and explored how self-awareness can help leaders recognise blind spots, manage pressure, reconnect with their purpose, take informed risks and identify opportunities to act and lead change.
Participation by Tekura and Elizabeth strengthens the Cook Islands’ engagement in regional learning and leadership networks, and consider how different approaches can inform leadership practice, creating opportunities to share experiences while learning from Pacific and international practitioners.
As the Cook Islands continues to advance integrated ocean governance, developing leaders who can work effectively across sectors, communities and institutions will remain essential to ensuring marine planning is inclusive, culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of current and future generations.
