What Bhutan Taught Me About Leading With Courage and Integrity

Since February 2024, I’ve had the joy of working on a passion project supporting the Kingdom of Bhutan — completely pro bono and self-funded, simply because it felt meaningful. It started when my colleague, Keith Ferrazzi, invited a small group of coaches to lend our skills to something bigger than any one of us.

Since then, the team has grown and is now led by my 100 Coaches colleague, Mo Kasti. Bhutan’s king has set a bold vision: by 2034, increase the average household income to USD $60,000 (about Nu 5M), up from today’s Nu 400,000 (around USD $4,500). It’s an inspiring effort to honor centuries-old culture while building a sustainable, modern future and it’s been a privilege to play even a small part in that journey.

When I started this project, I didn’t know much about Bhutan but it didn’t take long for me to become captivated. It’s a tiny mountainous kingdom that’s never been conquered, tucked between India and China and the only country in the world where Buddhism is integrated into the government and constitution. Its constitution mandates 60% forest cover as a permanent safeguard, and Bhutan currently exceeds this mandate with 70% of its land covered by forests. 

Despite its modest economy, Bhutan devotes 2% of its GDP to climate initiatives and works tirelessly on the global stage to advance environmental protection—from negotiating carbon commitments to plastic pollution standards.

For over a year, I’ve supported the Director of Environment and Climate Change within the Ministry of Energy. This work happened remotely at first, and culminated in a visit this past October, when I was invited by the Royal Civil Service Commission to join a gathering of governors from Bhutan’s 25 dzongs (administrative and monastic centers). 

I presented twice: first, a workshop for my client’s team on Critical Thinking & Taking Initiative, and the next day, a session on Leading Change Management for the governors—leaders responsible for some of the most significant systemic shifts in the country.

An Audacious National Goal

Bhutan has launched an extraordinary economic plan—the 21st-Century Economic Roadmap: A 10X National Economic Vision—aimed at increasing real GDP tenfold by 2050. It’s driven by a bold but balanced philosophy: grow the economy while protecting the nation’s core Gross National Happiness values. This includes expanding hydropower capacity to 25,000 MW, transforming agriculture into a high-value organic export sector, and elevating tourism through wellness and adventure offerings.

They’re also investing in emerging, future-forward industries like the digital economy, sustainable mining, advanced manufacturing, and services—what Bhutan calls its “Diamond Strategy.” A centerpiece of this vision is the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region designed as a global hub that blends mindful living with innovation and entrepreneurship. The plan was formally launched in June 2025, and Druk Holding & Investments (DHI) is driving a parallel “10X Journey” across its portfolio to catalyze these sectors. It’s one of the most thoughtful, future-oriented national strategies I’ve ever encountered.

To see a country of fewer than 800,000 people reaching for this kind of future with intention, discipline, and heart is incredibly inspiring. I love seeing big thinking grounded in cultural preservation, not at the expense of it.

A Country That Lives Its Values

Our time outside the workshops was just as meaningful. RCSC hosted a beautiful cultural evening with traditional foods, music, and centuries-old dances. We explored sacred temples, rafted the Mo Chu (the “female river”), and hiked to the Divine Madman’s temple. It was one of the most breathtaking hikes I’ve ever taken, winding up the mountain alongside terraced red rice fields. And of course Tiger’s Nest—an awe-filled pilgrimage in itself.

I lit butter lamps, meditated, and received blessings in three temples for my mother-in-law, who had passed away the week before our trip. It was tender, grounding, and unforgettable.

Bhutanese culture is infused with reverence. There are dragons and mountain spirits, stories of Guru Padmasambhava flying to Tiger’s Nest on the back of a tigress, and a profound respect for the natural world. This is a country that believes in the unseen while leading the conversation on climate preservation. Their values are historical and  operational.

What Bhutan Reminded Me

As I reflect on my time there, I’m struck by how powerful it is when a nation truly aligns its actions with its values and when leaders make decisions not just for today but for generations they’ll never meet. It’s incredible to see what happens when spiritual beliefs, environmental stewardship, and economic ambition aren’t competing priorities, but interdependent ones.

As we head into a new year, here’s a question we can all consider: Where in your life or leadership do your values and your daily actions drift apart? And what’s one small shift that would bring them back together?

Whether in a boardroom conversation or a personal crossroads, we all have opportunities to choose alignment.