For over two decades, Anne Robie played the high-stakes game of corporate HR. She sat at the table, led strategy, managed people, and helped shape the cultures of some of the world’s most recognizable companies. But despite a well-decorated resume, something felt off.
“At a certain point, the job just wasn’t doing it for me anymore,” she recalls during our conversation on the Unconventional Life podcast with host Jules Schroeder. “I had to practice what I preach—listen to my inner knowing, and step out.”
Anne didn’t just step out. She leapt—away from the titles, away from the security, and toward the West Coast shoreline of San Diego, drawn by nothing more than the ocean and a feeling. That leap birthed Darshan Leadership, a consultancy where soul meets strategy, and where leaders learn to lead from the inside out.
What Is a Spiritual Pragmatist?
If you’re raising an eyebrow at the phrase “spiritual pragmatist,” you’re not alone. Anne wears it proudly. “It’s not about woo-woo for the sake of being woo-woo,” she clarifies. “It’s about deeply embodied, grounded practices that actually move the needle.”
Anne’s version of leadership blends mindfulness, yoga, the Enneagram, and meditation—without the fluff. Her goal? Help changemakers and business leaders show up with authenticity and clarity in a world often driven by burnout and bravado.
The Enneagram Isn’t a Personality Quiz
One of Anne’s most powerful tools is the Enneagram, an ancient framework that maps out nine core personality types and the fears and desires that drive them.
“It’s not a box you’re put into,” she says. “It’s a mirror to see how your patterns—your auto-pilot—might be keeping you stuck.”
She’s facilitated Enneagram work with everyone from wellness entrepreneurs to executive teams, helping people better understand themselves and their collaborators. “Once you start to see your patterns, you can choose differently. And that changes everything.”
Breaking the Myth of Perfect Leadership
One of the most poignant parts of Anne’s journey is her willingness to talk about what didn’t work. Burnout. Grief. Moments of complete uncertainty.
“I call it the perfectly imperfect journey,” she smiles. “We think we need to arrive somewhere to be worthy. But real leadership is messy. It’s about showing up exactly as you are, even when it’s hard.”
Her own podcast by the same name, The Perfectly Imperfect Journey, captures these stories—her own and others’—of transformation, failure, and healing.
Grit and Grace in the Face of Change
For Anne, the real work is in the in-between moments: the transitions, the pivots, the times when life doesn’t go according to plan.
“Our culture is obsessed with certainty and control. But what if we could trust ourselves more? What if we could greet change with grit and grace instead of fear?”
It’s this mindset she brings to her coaching and speaking work, helping people build businesses, relationships, and lives that feel like home.
Ready to Reimagine Leadership?
As a special treat for Unconventional Life listeners, Anne is offering a free Enneagram guide and a chance to win a 60-minute Enneagram coaching session to support you in stepping into your truest self.
To enter: Follow Anne on Instagram, tag a friend in the episode post, and share your biggest takeaway.
Connect with Anne
- Website: https://darshanleadership.com
- Instagram: @annerobie
- LinkedIn: Anne Robie
- Podcast: The Perfectly Imperfect Journey (available on major platforms)
Anne Robie isn’t just redefining leadership. She’s reminding us that success doesn’t start with titles or goals—it starts with truth. The kind that lives inside you, just waiting to be heard.
