009. The Inner Development Goals: Self-Development for Sustainable Development
Embracing the Inner Development Goals: Self-Development for Social Change
In 2024 I am aiming to focus more on self care and self development — do you have any resources or recommendations for someone working in the not-for-profit sector?”
— Ashley, Changemaker Q&A listener
The Inner Development Goals Framework
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals cover a wide range of issues that involve people with different needs, values, and convictions. There is a vision of what needs to happen, but progress along this vision has so far been disappointing. We lack the inner capacity to deal with our increasingly complex environment and challenges. Fortunately, modern research shows that the inner abilities we now all need can be developed. This was the starting point for the ‘Inner Development Goals’ initiative.
The Inner Development Goals framework emerges as a response to the need for robust inner capabilities, crucial for navigating the complexity of today’s social change landscape. This framework comprises 23 goals grouped into five categories: Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting:
1. Being: Cultivating Inner Harmony
Inner Compass: A commitment to values serving the greater good.
Integrity and Authenticity: Acting sincerely and honestly.
Openness and Learning Mindset: Embracing curiosity and change.
Self-awareness: Reflective understanding and self-regulation.
Presence: Engaging in the present moment without judgment.
2. Thinking: Developing Cognitive Skills
Critical Thinking: Evaluating information and perspectives critically.
Complexity Awareness: Understanding systemic and complex issues.
Perspective Skills: Embracing and utilising diverse viewpoints.
Sensemaking: Comprehending and structuring unknown phenomena.
Long-term Orientation and Visioning: Sustaining commitment to larger visions.
3. Relating: Fostering Empathy and Connection
Appreciation: Cultivating gratitude and joy.
Connectedness: Recognising and feeling part of a larger whole.
Humility: Acting for the greater good without self-importance.
Empathy and Compassion: Relating with kindness and addressing suffering.
4. Collaborating: Enhancing Social Skills
Communication Skills: Genuine dialogue and conflict resolution.
Co-creation Skills: Building collaborative relationships.
Intercultural Competence: Embracing diversity and inclusivity.
Trust: Building and maintaining trustful relationships.
Mobilization Skills: Inspiring and engaging others in shared purposes.
5. Acting: Enabling Change through Agency
Courage: Taking decisive action and challenging existing norms.
Creativity: Generating original ideas and disrupting conventions.
Optimism: Sustaining hope and confidence in meaningful change.
Perseverance: Remaining determined and engaged despite delays.
Listen to the full episode:
If you’re ready for a transformative experience—where personal growth and societal evolution intertwine, listen to the full episode of Changemaker Q&A where I explore the IDG framework.
Click here to read the full episode transcript.