Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
As a leadership coach, I regularly hear the words “old school leader” and “new age leader.” I work with a mix of both, and if I was to describe the difference, it’s that new age leaders tend to be more connected with their people. They are more transformational, more emotionally competent, and more invested in the human experience behind the work.
Old school leaders, on the other hand, often take a transactional approach. They are more direct, more production-focused, and, at times, “too busy” for conversations about feelings or culture. They prioritise outcomes over people and can struggle to understand why others don’t simply “get on with it.”
My role isn’t to judge either style. My job is to help leaders create psychologically safe, high-performing teams, whatever that looks like for the individual. But for leaders wanting to shift into a more modern, human-centred leadership style, one powerful pathway is conscious leadership.
The Three Elements of Conscious Leadership
1. Vision and Virtue
Vision and virtue combine clarity of direction with clarity of behaviour. Vision is your purpose, the “why” that inspires the team, while virtue represents the moral compass that guides your actions. When leaders put purpose first, their team understands not only the work they do but why it matters and how it connects to a bigger story. Leading with love adds a human-centred layer to this. It means prioritising people and embracing the emotional ripple effect that leadership creates, a concept supported by Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and connection. Acting with integrity rounds out this element. Integrity builds trust, credibility and consistency, and without it leaders struggle to build the strong relationships required for high performance.
Leader action:
Reflect on how strongly you lead with vision and virtue. Are people and purpose truly at the centre of your leadership?
2. Mindset and Strategy
Mindset and strategy focus on shifting from a win-at-all-costs mentality to one that genuinely aims to make a difference. Conscious leadership reframes business not as a battlefield but as a space to create value for teams, organisations and the broader community. This aligns with Simon Sinek’s idea of the “infinite game,” where sustainable success is built on trust, relationships and long-term thinking. Leaders who adopt a win-win-win perspective operate from a positive-sum mindset, described by Alexander McCobin of Conscious Capitalism as an approach that creates more value than existed before. This mindset fuels innovation because people feel safe to think differently, collaborate openly and try new ideas. It also encourages leaders to look beyond immediate outcomes and consider how their actions contribute to future growth and collective wellbeing.
Leader action:
Pause and ask: How does my leadership create value for my team, my organisation and society? What would a long-term approach look like?
3. People and Culture
People and culture sit at the heart of conscious leadership. Great leaders understand that high-performing teams are intentionally developed, not accidental. Amy Edmondson’s research on psychological safety shows that teams thrive when they feel safe to speak up, experiment and grow. Conscious leaders nurture their people by prioritising development across both technical and interpersonal skills, fostering an environment where continuous learning is part of the culture. Revitalisation is also essential. When leaders model rest and encourage their teams to do the same, they cultivate resilience, wellbeing and innovation. Continuous learning completes this focus, as leaders who remain curious and adaptable inspire their teams to embrace growth and change.
Leader action:
Take time to recharge and encourage your team to do the same. A rested mind is a high-performing mind.
Final Reflection
As you reflect on these principles, ask yourself:
Does conscious leadership resonate with me? Could adopting these strategies help my team grow into a high-performing, psychologically safe unit?
If the answer is yes, you are already on the path.
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If you would like to learn more about Anton or The Guinea Group, please click here to book into Anton’s calendar, to:
UPGRADE your Mindset
UPSKILL your Leadership
UPLIFT your Teams