Written by:

Updated on:

August 24, 2016

Jack Kornfield talks about Inspired Leadership. He takes inspiration from various different leaders like the King of Thailand and George Washington.

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What is inspired leadership? Jack Kornfield discusses this topic, exploring both inner leadership and outer leadership throughout the duration of the talk. He opens with a suggestion of what we might call wise leadership. In the example he offers, he shares how the King of Thailand takes vows “to act with compassion towards all beings and all of life, and to do so for the benefit and the awakening of all.”

Harnessing Inner Leadership

Kornfield explains that to become our own leader means to become ‘the one who knows.’ We shift from a small sense of self (identification with mind and fear) to a more expansive sense of self rooted in the heart. As we shift our attention and values in this way, generosity, truthfulness, honesty, equanimity, and good will (among other qualities) blossom.

These qualities are not nourished in the this busy, modern society, but as we take the time to explore our own mindfulness practice through a variety of mindfulness exercises, we start to gain a sense of what it really means to embody inspired leadership.

Strengthening Our Practice

With infinite distractions and activities around us, it can be challenging to really harness this inner sense of leadership. Making mindfulness a daily practice is greatly beneficial in this process. If you are interested in making mindfulness a part of your everyday life, you can join the free 100-Day Mindfulness Challenge to reaffirm your inspired dreams.

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About the author 

Sean Fargo is a mindfulness teacher and founder of Mindfulness Exercises, a global platform offering evidence‑based resources and teacher certification. A former Buddhist monk in the Thai Theravada tradition, he bridges contemplative wisdom with modern psychology to make mindfulness practical at work and in life. Sean has taught alongside Jack Kornfield and supported leaders at organizations such as Reddit, PG&E, and DocuSign. Through online trainings, guided meditations, and mentorship, he has helped thousands of educators, clinicians, and coaches bring mindfulness to diverse communities. Sean’s mission is simple and ambitious: expand access to authentic, science‑informed practice while cultivating compassion, clarity, and resilience. Today, Mindfulness Exercises serves millions with free and premium tools, empowering individuals and teams to lead with presence and purpose.

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