You’re on a journey (if you hear the Inception soundtrack playing, it’s perfectly fine). Whether you realize it or not, it’s actually two journeys.
One is about the metrics: revenue, team growth, market share—the Outer Journey that every entrepreneur and executive chases. The other? It’s the quieter, more personal journey. The Inner Journey—the one where you confront your fears, challenge old beliefs, and evolve as a leader.
Miss one, and you’ll feel stuck, no matter how much you achieve. Nail both, and you’ll unlock not just external success but the kind of fulfillment that makes the grind worth it.
Let’s dive in.
The Outer Journey: Crushing the Business Goals
The Outer Journey is the easy one to measure. It’s the stuff that fills your reports and dashboards:
- “We hit $10M in revenue!”
- “We expanded to three new markets!”
- “Our team grew by 25% this year!”
These are your external quests. Like Frodo taking the One Ring to Mordor, these goals are what push you forward.
But here’s the kicker: success here isn’t automatic.
The Obstacles Will Test You
Every entrepreneur has their “Mount Doom.” (or as my old CEO used to say, the “year of hell”)
- It’s the fierce competitor who launches just as you’re scaling.
- The cash flow crunch that keeps you awake at night.
- The moment when your best employee suddenly gives notice.
These external challenges aren’t problems—they’re tests. Tests that sharpen your strategy, stretch your creativity, and, ultimately, prove whether you’ve got what it takes to stay in the game.
But here’s the thing: you can win every external battle and still lose the war.
Why? Because the Outer Journey alone won’t fulfill you. That’s where the Inner Journey comes in.
The Inner Journey: Becoming the Leader Your Team Needs
The Inner Journey is quieter but just as crucial. It’s the part where you stop, take a hard look in the mirror, and ask:
- What’s holding me back?
- What fears, beliefs, or habits do I need to let go of?
Let’s be real. Every entrepreneur and executive carries baggage.
- Maybe it’s a fear of failure that keeps you playing it too safe.
- Maybe it’s the imposter syndrome that whispers, “You’re not good enough to lead this team.”
- Or maybe it’s the urge to control everything because trusting others feels like a risk.
These inner struggles don’t just slow you down—they impact your team. Your fear becomes their fear. Your limits set their limits.
The Transformation Process of Inner Growth
The Inner Journey asks you to confront these struggles and transform.
- Fear of Failure? Learn to embrace risk as a tool for growth.
- Imposter Syndrome? Reflect on past wins to remind yourself you do belong here.
- Control Issues? Start trusting your team and watch them rise to the occasion.
It’s not easy. But as you grow internally, you unlock a new level of clarity, focus, and confidence. And guess what? That energy ripples outward—your team feels it, your clients notice it, and your goals suddenly don’t feel so impossible.
Why Both Journeys Matter
Here’s the big lesson: the Outer Journey and the Inner Journey are inseparable.
- You can’t lead a high-performing team if you’re stuck in your own head, doubting every decision.
- You can’t overcome massive external challenges if you’re not mentally and emotionally prepared to pivot, adapt, and stay resilient.
Great leaders—legendary leaders—master both journeys. They win the what (Outer Journey) because they’ve done the hard work on the why (Inner Journey).
Applying This Framework to Yourself and Your Team
Okay, so how do you use this?
1. Map Your Outer Journey
Write down your top 3 measurable goals for the next 12 months.
- Is it scaling your business?
- Building a dream team?
- Crushing a new market?
Identify the external challenges that stand in your way. These are the dragons you need to slay.
2. Reflect on Your Inner Journey
Ask yourself:
- What’s my biggest fear as a leader?
- What belief or habit is keeping me stuck?
- What personal growth do I need to tackle these challenges?
Be brutally honest. Growth only happens when you name the thing you’ve been avoiding.
3. Lead Your Team Through Their Two Journeys
Remember, your team is on their own two journeys too.
- Help them set clear, external goals (their Outer Journey).
- Support their growth by coaching them through their internal challenges—whether it’s confidence, focus, or learning new skills.
Your success as a leader is measured not just by what you achieve, but by who you help others become along the way.
A Quick Reality Check
This isn’t just business theory. It’s real life. Think about your favorite entrepreneurs, CEOs, or mentors. They didn’t just crush their numbers—they transformed as people.
You’ve got that same opportunity.
Action Step:
Right now, grab a notebook. Write down:
- Your biggest external goal (Outer Journey).
- The internal challenge you need to overcome to achieve it (Inner Journey).
Then commit to working on both—because when you align the outer and the inner, you don’t just win the game. You change the rules.
So, which journey will you start today?
