By: Unstoppable Branding Agency

Great leaders are invaluable. So invaluable that the global leadership development market is worth a whopping $80B—a testament to just how much society is willing to invest in its leaders. With the right guidance, great leaders can become global influences who inspire change and leave a lasting legacy. But what exactly is the mark of a great leader? How can today’s leaders maximize their effectiveness and impact?

Meet Aang Lakey, founder and CEO of Increasing Consciousness, a company dedicated to creating equity in the world through leadership education, coaching, and consulting.

Aang is an expert on the subjects of leadership and equity. Their academic achievements are impressive—they hold two master’s degrees and a graduate certificate in executive leadership. They’ve been awarded numerous prestigious awards, such as an Outstanding Leadership Recognition Award from the District of Columbia National Guard. In addition, they served 15 years in the military.

What makes Aang’s perspective on leadership so powerful is their personal journey, which continues to inspire transformational changes in all those they encounter. Throughout their youth, Aang endured severe economic hardship. “We were frequently evicted and without housing, power, food, or water,” Aang says. “With my parents being in and out of jail and struggling with substance abuse, my siblings and I lived in an environment of chaos and instability that kept us from even contemplating our potential.”

These difficulties complicated Aang’s ability to attend to school regularly—and threatened to keep them stuck in a state of extreme poverty. 

However, Aang refused to succumb to their circumstances and actively chose to take control of their future by creating a new path forward. With the support and guidance of a relative, they applied to college and, against all odds, were awarded scholarships that opened doors to their future. But Aang didn’t just discard the difficult experiences from their upbringing. Instead, they chose to learn from them and allow them to inspire continuous growth in themselves and others.

These experiences taught Aang to extend empathy, compassion, and support to individuals facing inequity and injustice—lessons that would define not only their character but also their career.

For the past 15 years, Aang has made a significant impact on members of underprivileged and marginalized communities, including LGBTQ, the homeless, and individuals who were incarcerated. Aang’s passion for this work is evident from their relentless advocacy for a more equitable world. 

As the Founder and CEO of Increasing Consciousness, Aang’s mission is to educate and guide leaders who strive for inclusion, belonging, and justice. As an individual who identifies as non-binary, Aang is deeply aware of the impact of bias and discrimination and is committed to guiding leaders to dismantle individual and systemic belief systems that perpetuate inequality in all its forms.

The Pillars of Effective Leadership

Aang believes that with the right tools and training, leaders can make a significant positive impact and contribute to a more equitable world. 

To guide today’s leaders, Aang emphasizes the following key pillars:

Authentic Communication: Leaders should prioritize open and honest dialogue. By clearly sharing their thoughts and listening actively to others with empathy, they build stronger connections and inspire full engagement from their team. This transparency also allows everyone involved in the organization to feel safe speaking 

An Intersectional Approach: Effective leaders recognize and honor the multifaceted backgrounds and experiences of individuals. By acknowledging the various dimensions of identity—such as race, gender, sexual orientation, access to education, and socio-economic background—leaders can create more inclusive and equitable environments where everyone can thrive. 

Self-Awareness and Empathy: Self-awareness is the process of reflecting—with curiosity and without self-judgment—how your unique background, experiences, and unconscious biases influence how you think and act towards others. When leaders master self-awareness, they can lead with empathy, helping individuals and organizations grow personally and professionally.

Inspiring Trust and Confidence: Trust and confidence are earned through consistent and principled actions. Theoretical knowledge is not enough—truly effective leaders demonstrate integrity, reliability, and fairness in all their actions, inspiring their team members to have faith in their vision. An organization’s principles and values mean nothing unless they can be applied consistently in practice. 

Helping Others Reach Their Full Potential: Effective leaders are committed to the growth and development of their team members. They see potential even when individuals cannot see it in themselves, providing the guidance, support, and encouragement needed to help others achieve their best.

Striving to Create a Better World for Everyone: At the core of leadership is a commitment to making a positive impact. Leaders should work towards a vision of a better world, not just within their organizations but in society at large. Prioritizing the values of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging is crucial to effecting change at an institutional and global level. 

The Legacy of Aang Lakey and Increasing Consciousness

Aang’s journey from severe poverty to empowering leaders is a testament to the power of resilience and the lessons that can be gleaned from hardship. A mantra that Aang lives by is “Rainbows come after storms,” which was a note from one of their earliest mentors that helped to inspire drastic change in their life and shift their entire life’s trajectory. Their personal experiences have shaped a leadership style grounded in empathy, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to equity and justice.

As the founder and CEO of Increasing Consciousness, Aang’s mission is to develop leaders who are not only effective in their roles but also dedicated to building environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Aang is dedicated to empowering today’s leaders to maximize their effectiveness and impact, fostering equity, justice, and lasting positive change in the world.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company. This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or judgment. Any action taken based on the content of this article is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

Published by: Martin De Juan