How to Think like a Regenerative Leader
Many attributes make great leaders. But I’ve noticed something particular about leaders in the regenerative space: they aren’t solely scientifically minded or ecosystem-restoration focused. Just by being themselves, they ignite something in you. When they speak, you believe in their vision and feel like you have something meaningful to contribute. When obstacles come, you face them together. These are serious change-makers; not only because of the work they do, but because of how they touch our lives.
So how do they get that way? How do they stay steady in the face of everything the world throws at us? How do they know when to push through, and when to walk away?
There’s no single path to becoming a leader in sustainable and regenerative spaces. But everyone I’ve met (or read, or watched, or listened to) who fits the description above has learned to lead from courage, connection, alignment, and joy.
Courage can be hard to pin down. Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation.” Funny thing is, we rarely feel courageous in the moment—mostly what we feel is fear. Doing the thing scared is usually what gives us the confidence to be courageous again later. Which means, ironically, the only way to cultivate courage is to keep facing what scares us.
Connection can be easier to cultivate, but not always. We’re not always surrounded by colleagues who share our values, and sometimes our work can be isolating. The first step is reflecting on what our values actually are, so they can guide the work itself. Over time, a pattern of values-aligned decisions emerges. This makes the work more meaningful, and it draws others toward you, because they can see you living those values. That’s where real connection starts. From there, it needs tending: listening and perspective-taking, and even when there’s disagreement, compassion.
Alignment is more than a buzzword — it's a condition that shapes how effectively we can work at all. Friction shows up when an organisation doesn't provide what's needed, when teams don't mesh, or when the wider systems at play conflict with the mission. Working in alignment means staying observant of the bigger picture and finding opportunity inside challenge. It often takes courage to name what isn’t working—easier, of course, when you’re connected to allies. And sometimes alignment asks the hardest question of all: do you have the courage to walk away, so you can be effective somewhere else?
Joy might be the most underrated leadership trait of all. Joy is a real part of the better future we’re building—and leading by example is where it’s at. Show the world the vision is possible, right here, right now. That’s how you inspire people to join the work: by finding joy in it. In the face of everything trying to crush it, joy is its own form of essential resistance. Make the revolution irresistible.
So — how do you actually cultivate all of this, at once?
With patience, and intention.
Our brains want to help us; they just need the right instructions. As the saying goes, “your body believes everything you say”—a claim increasingly backed by neuroscience and psychology. It’s why intention-setting, mindfulness, and gratitude journaling have become so popular: done right, they work. What you’re really doing is training your brain to do what it does best—recognise patterns. Evolutionarily, our brains are pattern-recognition machines, because predicting the near future was once essential to survival (was that rustling in the bushes something we could eat, or something that wanted to eat us?).
Put simply: the mindset of a regenerative leader is cultivated, not innate. By reflecting on our values, we make better decisions and have the courage to follow through; we find meaningful connection with others; we work in alignment and with joy. When challenges arise, our fear points us toward what we care about, and we move forward anchored in our values and our people. When things don't go our way, connection helps us feel the loss and keep going. And when things go well, we celebrate—we let ourselves enjoy the here and now, and we flourish, together.
Our minds are excellent at imagining worst-case scenarios—thank you, large predator instincts. But these days, we’re rarely in genuine danger, just difficult situations. That’s why I put courage first: fear points to what we care about, and that's actually useful information. We just have to train our brains away from worst-case thinking and toward best-case thinking. It’s hard to do something you can't first imagine.
The mindset of a Regenerative Leader is a practice. I recommend getting a notebook just for your leadership journey. On the first page, reflect on your values: what matters most to you, personally and professionally? How do those values show up in your work? Is anything currently standing in the way?
To train your brain to look for the good, you have to actually look for it. Start by reflecting on everything that's gone well in your work — the people who've helped you, the people you've helped, the things that turned out better than expected. Write it down.
Then pick something you're currently facing. What decision are you hesitating on? What presentation is making you anxious? What draft just isn’t getting written? Write about how that hard decision reflects your values, and how well it could go. Write about why that presentation matters, and how it might even be enjoyable to share.
Every time something goes well, write it down. Celebrate it. This is how you train your brain to keep looking for the good—for the possibilities where others may only see struggle, for a solution where others only see a problem. It’s how you build confidence and courage, how you find meaningful connection in your work and with others. Revisit your values often; they shift as your priorities shift, and that’s more than okay. Some may stay the same for years—those are your core values. Trust them. Trust yourself.
For more on the neuroscience behind this, I recommend Mind Magic by Dr James Doty.
For an inspiring regenerative leader, watch Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's TED Talk, "How to Find Joy in Climate Action."
For a free Leadership Self-Assessment Tool, click here.
And to connect with a community of women leading our sustainable future, join us for live sessions exploring courage, connection, alignment, and joy — full schedule here.