Leading with Soul: My Journey Through Bali and The Wisdom of Deepak Chopra

I recently travelled to Bali, Indonesia, and if I had to sum up the experience in one word, it would be transformative. I attended a women-only healing retreat that offered a rare invitation to pause, reset, and reconnect. Through a series of soul-nourishing practices — including a water purification ceremony, quantum healing and Vedic numerology sessions, a cacao and intention-setting ceremony, tarot card reading, and (yes!) unlimited spa treatments — I healed every layer of myself: my body, mind, heart, spirit, and soul.

The transformation I experienced wasn’t just physical — it was emotional, mental, and spiritual. I let go of stories that had shaped me for far too long, reconnected with the younger version of myself who still needed to be seen and loved, and walked away with a renewed sense of peace, clarity, and self-trust. I didn’t just feel different. I was different — quieter, stronger, and more aligned with who I truly am.

This vacation wasn’t just a break from life. It was a breakthrough — one that reconnected me with my intuition, unlocked a new level of clarity, and set the tone for what comes next.

After the retreat, I was looking for my next read. Through simple search terms, the Universe guided me to Deepak Chopra’s The Soul of Leadership.

I’ve held leadership roles in every season of my life. From captaining sports teams, to supervisory roles in major retailers while in my teens, to managing people in sales and marketing — leadership has always been in my DNA. But perhaps the most meaningful and demanding leadership role I’ve ever held is being a single mom to two daughters. That role has taught me more about resilience, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and unconditional love than any boardroom ever could.

I was intrigued by how Chopra — a world-renowned expert in mind-body healing, consciousness, and spirituality — would approach something as pragmatic as leadership. And the timing seems so relevant. In an era marked by political uncertainty and polarization, turning inward to lead with clarity, compassion, and soul feels not only significant — it feels essential.

Chopra’s approach to leadership is rooted not in performance metrics or positional power, but in inner alignment — with who you are, what you value, and how you show up for others. He defines the true soul of leadership as an acronym: S.O.U.L. — See, Organize, Understand, and Love. These four steps are about recognizing the potential in others, aligning teams around a shared purpose, listening with empathy, and leading with love — not ego.

While S.O.U.L. lays the groundwork, Chopra expands with a fuller framework: L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Real leadership isn’t about titles or authority — it’s about presence, connection, and service. And when you learn about it, you’ll realize this model isn’t just for people in formal leadership roles. It’s for anyone who wants to lead with intention in their families, communities, or everyday relationships.

Each letter represents a soul-centered leadership quality — and after my time in Bali, each one resonated in a more personal way.

L – Look and Listen

Leadership starts with awareness. In Bali, I learned how to slow down and truly listen — not just to others, but to my own intuition and inner voice.

E – Emotional Bonding

Connection is everything. The emotional bond I rebuilt with myself is a reminder that great leaders lead from empathy, not ego.

A – Awareness

Awareness was my greatest gift from the retreat. It gave me clarity about what matters, what drains me, and where I’m being called to next.

D – Doing

Insight means nothing without action. This journey reconnected me with purpose — and inspired me to take meaningful, soul-aligned steps forward.

E – Empowerment

I returned from Bali with a renewed sense of power — not the kind that controls, but the kind that uplifts and ignites others.

R – Responsibility

True leadership means taking responsibility for your impact. I left with a deeper commitment to how I show up — for myself, my team, my family, and my community.

S – Synchronicity

That moment when I stumbled upon this book wasn’t random. It was alignment. It was a reminder that when you lead from within, the right tools, people, and timing tend to meet you where you are.

In today’s world, we don’t just need stronger leaders — we need deeper ones. Leaders who are willing to pause, to listen, and to do the inner work before they act. The Soul of Leadership — and my time in Bali — reminded me that transformation starts within. When we understand ourselves, we understand others more deeply. And when we release what no longer serves us, we create space for vision, alignment, and lasting impact. Because when we lead from that place, the results aren’t just strategic — they’re soulful.