Meet the Inner Development Goals
If you’ve worked in government, the non-profit space, or you work for a purpose-driven business, you may be familiar with the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, all members of the United Nations agreed on 17 goals to build a world of peace, dignity, and prosperity on a healthy planet. This probably sounds like a dream many of us share. The target for reaching these goals is 2030 - but the progress on achieving this has been far too slow. We urgently need to increase our collective abilities to face and work effectively with complex challenges.
The reality is that people created these challenges and only people can solve them. But how? It’s a good question that leaves many of us stuck and unsure if our actions will make a difference. But what if we looked at this from a personal development lens? What individual and collective skills and abilities can we learn and develop to progress and succeed?
That is why a group of organizations, foundations, and senior scientific advisors came together to form the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) - a non-profit and open-source organization to bring the power of inner development to global challenges faced by humanity. They research, collect, and communicate science-based skills and qualities that help us to live purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives. They also gather a worldwide community of people wanting to influence and shape the future. I’ve found great inspiration from these heart-focused change-makers.
The IDGs believe, as do I, that personal development is necessary for societal change. The IDGs are a blueprint of the capabilities, qualities, and skills needed to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. They can also create a pathway to your developmental roadmap to discover more meaning, fulfillment, and purpose in your work and life.
They aim to educate, inspire, and empower people to be a positive force for societal change and find a more purposeful way to look at our lives and those around us. They provide an essential framework and field kit for inner growth. Inner development could be the greatest possible accelerator to create a prosperous future for humanity. The IDG framework can also work at the systems level and can serve as a roadmap to develop the skills you need to address all complex challenges as an organization.
The IDG Framework was born from these beliefs:
A belief that a key component is missing in our quest for a more sustainable and equitable world.
Focusing exclusively on external or technical solutions to our complex challenges is only half the picture.
So what qualities, abilities, or skills do we need to develop to build a sustainable future for people and the planet? You can learn more here.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll look at each dimension and share some questions and ideas to help you identify skills that can bring focus to your developmental goals and commitments. Which also unites you with the collective action of others around the world. Looking inward to help create a world that works for all.
I’d love to hear from you if coaching could help support this developmental discovery for yourself. Unlike some assessment approaches, I don’t take a gap analysis or start from a place of deficiency. We start where you are and explore the threads together. Reach out if you’d like to chat.
Is this coaching for you?
You are a committed nonprofit, climate, or DEI leader, looking to deepen your resilience, integrate joy, and expand your leadership for effective change.
You want to develop as a leader in your workplace or community and be of service.
You want to pursue a dream, goal, or vision and want support in the process.
You have a longing to step into the next version of yourself.
You want to advance your career AND find more meaning and purpose.
You are looking for new access to creativity and inspiration.
You are at a crossroads or feeling stuck.
You have received feedback or are noticing patterns and behaviors that you’d like to change.