The art of leading is about following your heart

The art of leading is about following your heart. But what does it mean to follow your heart? The colloquialism is often used to encourage others to do what feels right.

The heart is a vital organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system, namely to the brain. So without your heart, your brain does not function. Your heart is also known, spiritually, to be from where the springs of life flow. Essentially, your heart is the 1, not the 2!

Now, this does not mean that we lead with emotions. Emotions are triggered in the brain. So, we can put that to rest, as I’m sure someone was envisioning a sappy leader; and that’s not the picture that I’m painting.

To be heart led, you must first have leadership of self.

• Are you self-aware?
• What have you discovered about yourself - your values, beliefs, triggers, energy boosters, core competencies, etc.?
• Are you on a quest for proactive self improvement?
• If so, how? In which direction are you going?
• Are you working to purify your heart, because you recognize that all good things flow from it?
• Are you able to manage your self talk?
• Do you recognize that most things are not about you?

Leading from the heart is a performing art. Performing arts include a wide range of expressions, and so does heart-led leadership. There is no one method, but as with artful expression, how you express your leadership is a reflection of your creativity. This comes easy to some, but acknowledge that creativity can be cultivated.

The basic foundation of creativity is curiosity. As leaders, we must remain interested and curious about the people we lead, the work they perform, their ideas, and challenges. Leading with love allows this. To be a good listener, your heart has to be involved, otherwise your ego wants to talk, wants to solution, wants to respond before seeking to understand.

We’re all prone to unclean thoughts and emotions, so we must consider the influences affecting our heart, and intentionally seek to purify it.

So, ask yourself, are you leading with love?

If this is your first time here, you may be wondering what are leader letters.

See you next week.

#leaderletters #leadwithlove #leadership