Sassi Ochoa, a CIJ clarity catalyst and transformational trainer, embraces her purpose of service-driven living. Through various roles as a blogger, coach, runner and wanderlust enthusiast, she embodies diverse forms of leadership, inspiring others to explore their own paths of empowerment.
Leadership is more than a title or a position; it’s a journey of self-mastery, service, and continuous growth. My first step into this world was through the Enneagram, a tool that helped me understand human motivation and behavior. However, true leadership development goes beyond personality frameworks; it requires a deep exploration of virtues and inner power.
“Mastery of virtues is the mastery of life.” – Master del Pe.
Several years ago, during my formal coaching studies, one of the first self-knowledge tools I was introduced to was the Enneagram. This powerful map of the human mind helps us understand what motivates people, how they behave, and how they relate to others. Represented by a nine-pointed star, the Enneagram reveals personality types, core traits, virtues, flaws, and psychological tendencies, offering profound insight into our inner workings.
While the Enneagram became my first guide to self-discovery, I've since found other invaluable sources of wisdom and teachers who have continued the journey with me.
If you are starting to develop your leadership knowledge, that could be a good first approach. However, if you are interested in deep leadership development, I hope this article inspires you to explore leadership beyond the conventional parameters.
This time, I want to share a high-level summary of valuable insights from the author, Master del Pe, whose work feels especially relevant in today's times. His book 8 Types of Leaders introduces a fresh perspective on leadership that blends psychology with spirituality, an approach not often taught in traditional leadership schools. According to him, “The process of applying a virtue is a faculty. The faculty is an instrument to express virtues and inner values. Each virtue developed corresponds to inner powers acquired and levels of spiritual development attained. The more the virtues are mastered, the greater your power to succeed and be fulfilled.”
He emphasizes that one of the virtues of becoming a great leader is mastering the service:
“Service is an expression of inner growth and development. It is the muscle-building for virtues. It is also a barometer of inner development and spirituality.”
This approach is relevant and important because leadership enlightenment is a path that inevitably leads to service and the conscious practice of virtues.
My personal story of struggling in leadership
Several years ago, I decided to leave the corporate world. I have achieved applause, awards, and commissions; I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I served my clients with professionalism and integrity, yet I felt empty. Sometimes, it felt like someone was always losing money, time, or trust. Then, an unexpected event forced me to step away completely, and at that moment, my life took a profound turn toward genuine service, eventually leading me to become a coach.
I decided never to return. I no longer wanted to represent any industry commercially, except for myself. I promised that if I ever sold a brand, it would be my own, and the game would be played on my terms.
And so it was. In 2019, I walked away and never looked back, never once considering a relationship with any company again until now.
Maybe I just needed a break to step back and rethink how I wanted to show up in the corporate world. I needed guidance, focus, and inspiration.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting Master del Pe in person and experiencing firsthand the principles he shares in his books. I immersed myself in the philosophy behind his Ashram and practiced exercises designed to strengthen a leader’s willpower. This enriching experience left me deeply inspired and even more committed to sharing this valuable knowledge with those who see themselves as leaders in their personal or professional spheres and who seek to enhance their resilience and staying power.
After my mentoring experience with Master del Pe, I see the corporate world through a new lens. If I were to return, I know the impact I could create would be far greater than before.
So, let’s explore some key postulates from 8 Types of Leaders, which have reignited my passion for serving with purpose, not just where it feels comfortable but where I am truly needed. Anyone can stay in their comfort zone.
But the world doesn’t need just anyone. It begs for committed leaders who will transform their organizations and lives with strength, vision, and willpower.
8 key virtues to master yourself and live your greatest life
The following are virtues and the corresponding benefits when they are mastered. They are essential for the development of integrated leadership.
Discipline and constancy: the key to attaining great achievement constantly.
Willpower and vitality: the key to speed and continuity of long-lasting performance.
Objectivity and practicality: The power of discrimination to achieve balanced results is the antidote to fanaticism.
Benevolence: the power to achieve happiness, contentment, and right human relations and the key to accessing greater powers safely.
Altruism: the key and power behind long-lasting prosperity and sustained abundance.
Group consciousness: The key to sustaining power and achieving bigger goals in less time.
Virtue of sacrifice: the key to greatness and powerful service and the power to become a legend
Good health: the key to attaining and enjoying lasting success and fulfillment.
These would be the 8 virtues in general terms, but the book explains and develops all the topics so that you can implement them immediately.
You will also have chapters on each type of leader, their strengths, weaknesses, fears, pains, sources of pleasure, positions, jobs, and the life lessons each leader profile must learn.
Another chapter that I found super interesting is that it allows you to analyze the situation of our countries based on the profiles of their people, their religion, their economic style, their education, and their government systems.
If what you read here resonates, I encourage you to explore Master del Pe's website, dive into his book, or experience one of his renowned online courses or retreats in the Philippines or Latin America Master del Pe Latam
Read more from Sassi Ochoa
Sassi Ochoa, Mindfulness & Transformational Coach
Sassi Ochoa combines 15 years of successful experience in the insurance sales industry with 5 years of holistic leadership experience, spanning both professional and personal domains.
Committed to providing Latin people with the same transformative educational opportunities she has experienced translated Stanford University's prestigious CIJ Clarity Catalyst program into Spanish during the 2020 pandemic, facilitating it in her community's mother language since then. Additionally, she created the virtual workshop "Leadership is written with H", designed to connect managers and collaborators with their commitment, emotional competences, and the significance of teamwork.
