Today was Day 1 of the 3 Day 2024 Inner Development Goal Summit, which took place in Stockholm Sweden. I was one of the many thousands who got to participate via live stream
What are the IDGs?
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs): The What and Why Behind Five Dimensions and 23 Skills
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) are a framework designed to cultivate the inner capacities and skills necessary to address the complex and urgent challenges facing our world today, including those aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recognizing that external change requires inner growth, the IDGs emphasize the development of human potential to foster both personal and collective transformation. These goals offer a roadmap for individuals, leaders, and organizations to navigate today’s increasingly complex landscape by focusing on five key dimensions, encompassing 23 skill areas.
The Five Dimensions of the IDGs
1. Being (Relationship to Self)
This dimension focuses on self-awareness and mindfulness, encouraging individuals to develop a deeper understanding of themselves. It includes skills such as inner compass, presence, and integrity. Cultivating these qualities helps individuals stay grounded, resilient, and authentic in their actions and decisions, even in uncertain or stressful environments.
2. Thinking (Cognitive Skills)
Critical and complex thinking are at the heart of this dimension. It involves the ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives, use creativity, and make sound judgments. The skills within this dimension, such as critical thinking, perspective-taking, and sense-making, enable individuals and organizations to navigate the complexity and ambiguity of the modern world.
3. Relating (Caring for Others and the World)
Relationships are central to effective collaboration and social cohesion. This dimension includes empathy, compassion, and communication. By developing these interpersonal skills, individuals become more attuned to the needs of others and the world around them, creating more inclusive and collaborative environments.
4. Collaborating (Social Skills)
Teamwork, trust-building, and conflict resolution are crucial in this dimension, as they empower individuals to work together toward common goals. This includes the ability to lead with humility, share responsibility, and create environments where diversity is celebrated. Strong collaboration fosters a sense of collective responsibility and enables more effective solutions to shared challenges.
5. Acting (Driving Change)
The final dimension emphasizes proactive engagement with the world. Skills such as courage, perseverance, and agency are essential for translating inner development into meaningful action. This dimension is about taking responsibility, overcoming obstacles, and working with others to create sustainable change.
Why Are the IDGs Important?
In a world marked by rapid technological advancements, environmental degradation, and social inequalities, it is clear that traditional approaches to leadership and problem-solving are no longer sufficient. The IDGs provide a holistic framework that addresses not only the external skills needed to solve complex problems but also the internal capacities required to sustain those efforts over the long term.
By cultivating these 23 skills across the five dimensions, individuals and organizations can develop the resilience, empathy, and creativity needed to address today’s challenges effectively. In essence, the IDGs offer a roadmap for personal and collective growth, bridging the gap between inner development and sustainable global action.
The IDGs not only equip individuals with the necessary tools for personal well-being but also foster leadership qualities that are essential for driving positive change on a global scale.
What are the IDGs?
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs): The What and Why Behind Five Dimensions and 23 Skills
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) are a framework designed to cultivate the inner capacities and skills necessary to address the complex and urgent challenges facing our world today, including those aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recognizing that external change requires inner growth, the IDGs emphasize the development of human potential to foster both personal and collective transformation. These goals offer a roadmap for individuals, leaders, and organizations to navigate today’s increasingly complex landscape by focusing on five key dimensions, encompassing 23 skill areas.
The Five Dimensions of the IDGs
1. Being (Relationship to Self)
This dimension focuses on self-awareness and mindfulness, encouraging individuals to develop a deeper understanding of themselves. It includes skills such as inner compass, presence, and integrity. Cultivating these qualities helps individuals stay grounded, resilient, and authentic in their actions and decisions, even in uncertain or stressful environments.
2. Thinking (Cognitive Skills)
Critical and complex thinking are at the heart of this dimension. It involves the ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives, use creativity, and make sound judgments. The skills within this dimension, such as critical thinking, perspective-taking, and sense-making, enable individuals and organizations to navigate the complexity and ambiguity of the modern world.
3. Relating (Caring for Others and the World)
Relationships are central to effective collaboration and social cohesion. This dimension includes empathy, compassion, and communication. By developing these interpersonal skills, individuals become more attuned to the needs of others and the world around them, creating more inclusive and collaborative environments.
4. Collaborating (Social Skills)
Teamwork, trust-building, and conflict resolution are crucial in this dimension, as they empower individuals to work together toward common goals. This includes the ability to lead with humility, share responsibility, and create environments where diversity is celebrated. Strong collaboration fosters a sense of collective responsibility and enables more effective solutions to shared challenges.
5. Acting (Driving Change)
The final dimension emphasizes proactive engagement with the world. Skills such as courage, perseverance, and agency are essential for translating inner development into meaningful action. This dimension is about taking responsibility, overcoming obstacles, and working with others to create sustainable change.
Why Are the IDGs Important?
In a world marked by rapid technological advancements, environmental degradation, and social inequalities, it is clear that traditional approaches to leadership and problem-solving are no longer sufficient. The IDGs provide a holistic framework that addresses not only the external skills needed to solve complex problems but also the internal capacities required to sustain those efforts over the long term.
By cultivating these 23 skills across the five dimensions, individuals and organizations can develop the resilience, empathy, and creativity needed to address today’s challenges effectively. In essence, the IDGs offer a roadmap for personal and collective growth, bridging the gap between inner development and sustainable global action.
The IDGs not only equip individuals with the necessary tools for personal well-being but also foster leadership qualities that are essential for driving positive change on a global scale.
Jennifer Britton, MES, ACTC – PCC, CHRL, CPT
CEO, Head Coach and Author
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
Instagram:@ReconnectingWorkspaces @CoachingBusinessBuilder
Looking for bite-sized boosts to your work as a coach, leader or during your onboarding process? Check out our Card Decks. Now available on Deckible:
90-Day Guide for Success – Deck 1 – Days 1 – 30 (for new leaders, onboarding or those wanting a sprint) – https://bit.ly/90dayguidedeck1
ACTIVATE Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers (for coaches) – https://bit.ly/activatedeck
Pick up a copy of Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World at Amazon – https://bit.ly/reconnectingworkspaces.
Check out my latest TEDx talk – Coaching Teams Through Chaos at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_coaching_teams_through_chaos
Set up a call with myself or my team to learn more about how we can support you through our card decks, customized team development and leadership training, OR award-winning ICF CCE approved Coach Training programs – https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
CEO, Head Coach and Author
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
Instagram:@ReconnectingWorkspaces @CoachingBusinessBuilder
Looking for bite-sized boosts to your work as a coach, leader or during your onboarding process? Check out our Card Decks. Now available on Deckible:
90-Day Guide for Success – Deck 1 – Days 1 – 30 (for new leaders, onboarding or those wanting a sprint) – https://bit.ly/90dayguidedeck1
ACTIVATE Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers (for coaches) – https://bit.ly/activatedeck
Pick up a copy of Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World at Amazon – https://bit.ly/reconnectingworkspaces.
Check out my latest TEDx talk – Coaching Teams Through Chaos at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_coaching_teams_through_chaos
Set up a call with myself or my team to learn more about how we can support you through our card decks, customized team development and leadership training, OR award-winning ICF CCE approved Coach Training programs – https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
RSS Feed
