207 Transform Your Leadership with Internal Family Systems (IFS): Interview with Dr. Richard Schwartz

Sep 20, 2024

As complex beings, we all encompass many different inner parts, or aspects of ourselves. Often, these parts may conflict, or we may feel ashamed or angered by those parts that we consider “bad” and therefore, try to suppress them. However, each of our parts serves a particular function that is meant to help us in some way, and by understanding where they all might have come from, how they work together, and how to foster healing and harmony among our various parts when needed, we can create space for our true, core selves to shine through. 

Dr. Richard Schwartz, our guest in Episode 207 of The Mindset Game® podcast, is the creator of Internal Family Systems (IFS), a widely used, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that is particularly effective for dealing with trauma. It provides a non-pathologizing, optimistic, and empowering perspective and a practical set of techniques for working with individuals, couples, families, corporations, and classrooms. After beginning his career as a family therapist, Dr. Schwartz now serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and has published five books, including “No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model.” In this week’s episode, Dr. Schwartz shares the following:

• The 8 Cs of “Self” or Self-leadership — calm, confident, curious, compassionate, courageous, creative, clear, and connected — which represent who we truly are at our core when we allow the other parts of ourselves to step aside and create space
• How understanding the different parts of ourselves can help us become more effective leaders, particularly for those who may have developed an over-attachment to the inner parts that have fueled their success
• A framework to better understand the different parts of yourself – including the critics, protectors, managers, and inner children – and why they may behave in certain ways

Dr. Schwartz then guides us through an exercise designed to help us get in touch with those parts of ourselves that serve as protectors. 

To learn more about Dr. Schwartz and Internal Family Systems (IFS), visit https://ifs-institute.com. 

To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.