I joined CIA CIC and friends recently in a gathering of people hoping to better understand the idea of 'inner work' - the personal reflective, reflexive change-making some of us believe has a pivotal role in systems change.
Abby and Andy from CIA opened the session by demonstrating their own inner work practice through an honest conversation. They explored familiar tensions that resonated deeply with me: the pull between being highly productive and achievement-orientated versus prioritising emotional well-being. Andy shared his recent experiment of leaving deliberate open spaces in his schedule, fighting against the ingrained urge to fill every moment with tasks. Instead learning to use this time for what he truly wants to do, rather than what he feels he should do. Abby spoke candidly about her ongoing practice of self-acceptance, describing her specific challenges in letting go of external validation - particularly in professional settings where achievement metrics dominate.
As the conversation opened to include the rest of us, people shared concrete examples of how educational, societal and even parental systems had shaped their sense of worth. One participant described their experience in a rigid academic environment that prioritised standardised testing over personal growth. Another spoke about growing up in a patriarchal family structure where emotional expression was discouraged. Another person shared their experience of recent loss and how it forced them to confront professional expectations around 'business as usual’. Another described their ongoing struggle with burnout in the social impact sector, where the urgency of external challenges often overshadows personal well-being.
These weren't abstract discussions people shared specific moments and memories that had impacted their development and shaped their mindsets. It was clear from the stories people shared that the systems we strive to change are not merely external constructs, but are deeply enmeshed with us. We discussed how these systems become internalised, affecting everything from how we schedule our days to how we measure our worth. This highlighted how important it is to link individual wellbeing with the thriving of the wider community. There was a sense of the need to shift from an individualistic mindset to one of mutual support and shared responsibility.
Inner work requires genuine vulnerability. We need to find spaces for emotional connection and healing, where we feel safe to put down our professional armour and reflect on the systems within us. The cultural fear of emotion in the global north makes people shy away from this work. We’d rather stay in our heads, than share what our hearts or our guts are telling us. Andy asked how we might 'show up differently' to catalyse change. Shedding our masks of professionalism, accepting our vulnerability, and fostering emotionally nourishing relationships. This approach is a radical departure from traditional change-making, which often focusses on external actions and strategies.
The session itself allowed for inner work. Instead of rushing to solutions or action items, we created space for deep listening. People shared their struggles with balancing multiple responsibilities, their fears about job security when prioritising well-being, and their hopes for creating more humane ways of working. Each story was met with attention and understanding, without pressure to offer solutions or advice. I felt both the challenge and hope in the room. We acknowledged that this work demands significant energy and patience, particularly when trying to influence systems from positions of power. Yet there was a shared conviction that this inner work isn't a luxury - it's essential for creating lasting systemic change. We can't transform systems without examining how those systems live within us.
This approach to change-making may seem unconventional, especially in sectors focused on external metrics and tangible outcomes. However, our gathering demonstrated its vital importance in moving toward more just, sustainable, and compassionate ways of living and working. I for one, will be looking for opportunities to make space for these kinds of learning spaces in my practice.
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