Heart-Based Leadership: A Gift That You'll Never Regret

It's a week before Christmas, and most of you are likely scrambling a bit to tie up those last minute details or find that perfect gift before the big day arrives. And in North Carolina, the big day this year might include some snow - it's a strong maybe right now, but still exciting for us North Carolinians! ??

As we also get closer to wrapping up the year, I've spent a lot of time reflecting recently on 2022; the lessons learned, opportunities for my own personal growth, and how I'm tracking with my goals around being a leader. One key area that has always been very important for me is that I'm true to myself as being someone who cares deeply for others - especially those in my direct area of responsibility (family or otherwise).

I've had the benefit of engaging with SO many types of leaders in my career, and it has been such a journey to observe what works and what is not effective in how a leader engages with their team. I have also enjoyed working with a lot of younger professionals who desire to become leaders and want to know how to best focus their efforts around leadership development.

The advice I share with those who ask, and what I believe to be the most effective and personally impactful leadership style for others is simply to be a heart-based leader, and here's why:

Leading With Your Heart Builds Trust

People just want a leader who is "real" - someone who is authentic and honest in a way that helps them to build trust with that leader. When you genuinely care for others, that shines through and helps your team to trust your words and actions.

Think about a leader you've had that just seemed a bit fake or someone who never asks about your family or personal interests. Was that a leader you trusted?

Trust is the foundation in a leader that can have no compromises. It's a game changer for me. If I don't trust my leader, peace out. ?????

Caring For Your Team Creates Strong Teams

A leader who genuinely cares for their team will typically have less turnover which can lead to a much stronger team.

In my own experience, I have been able to tolerate a significant amount of change management chaos when I had great leadership who cared for me as an individual - it made a huge difference in how I made it through some really hard days.

But on the flip side of that coin, I've had some really bad leaders who showed up in a way that clearly illustrated they didn't care about me as an individual - and those experiences hit very differently but taught me SO much. The turnover in those teams has been - and continues to be - ongoing.

People want and need to feel cared about. When that happens, they will align to that leader and the team will become stronger.

Heart-Based Leadership Builds Better Leaders

A great leader is also someone who develops others and mentors in a way that leads to new leaders. When a team has a heart-based leader, they will be learning directly how a "firm but fair" approach can be quite effective; and those experiences will help to shape those team members who go on to become leaders in the future.

I hope each of you spend some time reflecting on the year and that you be intentional in your own development for 2023. And if you're a new leader or desire to become a leader, never hesitate to be one who leads with your heart. You can't go wrong when you care about others. ????