Leading by Heart

Is it better to lead with heart or head?

With the changing lifestyles, variations in life choices and challenging career parameters, the way to tangible success is getting hard. Over time, leadership has evolved. In order to dwell happily in an environment, now it is essential to co-exist. The dawn of Emotional Intelligence (EI) at the workplace has changed the dynamics of how people achieve excellence. The use of head and heart, or thinking by heart, addressing emotions, talking about stress and its management is now a new normal. Emotions have found a way to voice out, irrespective of the gender, creed or caste.

Through this blog, I am trying to explore the ways in which one can lead by heart or manage hearts in order to communicate with the team, group or people. Successful leaders, communicate well. It is about ‘what and how’ they communicate is the key. It is a powerful tool to connect with people in life.

One of the major aspects of being emotionally intelligent is to be able to express them in ‘words’.

So, here are five ways in which one can manage work and relationships by heart.

Consider and present them as requests.

1. “Please do not make me wrong, even if you disagree with me.”

Bitter or healthy discussions are an everyday thing. Everybody is at a workplace for a common purpose. Disagreements are bound to happen. A creative way to deal with harsh reactions or to avoid arguments is to simply tell them ‘what is happening inside you instead of making people wrong.’ It focuses on addressing emotions within the situation and not about the people involved. The request here may mean ‘I know you disagree, or you may not be comfortable with this idea, you can tell how you feel. Do not feel threatened. Let your words be about you and what you feel.’

2. “Hear and Understand Me.”

It is crucial for people to feel listened to and being understood. People enjoy their work when they have a clarity of ‘what’ they have to do and then do it. That increases productivity. Unlike machines, individuals cannot sustain for a longer period of time without expressing their feelings, ideas, thoughts and emotions. Naturally, humans have an ability ‘to emote’. People need to know that they are being valued, respected and understood. It makes them feel connected. Poor listening indicates that it is more about the job being done with poor quality. It is important to paraphrase the understanding post meeting or a discussion. Information is passed along with emotions, thoughts and feelings. It is important to acknowledge them with respect. When people feel they are being listened to, they are ready to contribute with the best of their capacities. They are ready to give!

3. “Tell Me the Truth With Compassion.”

This is a beautiful way to deal with confrontations. It is a more systematic and caring way to support the individual despite the actions. It mainly expresses ‘I acknowledge your concern’. Leading by heart is not worrying about the reactions you receive. The reactions are beyond your control and differ person to person. Leading by heart is acknowledging the emotion and not targeting people as a whole. First step is to confront the person rather than talking about it with other people. The next step is to address the person with utmost respect. The dignity of every person has to be maintained. Lastly, explore ways in which a situation or an outcome can be changed or worked upon. A solution focused interaction leads to growth!

4. “Focus on my loving intentions.”

There is a lot that happens within the human mind before one behaves. A behavior is an outcome of huge information processing at rapid rates like the fast moving darts! One of the winning strategies to yield positive outcomes is to always assume that the person sharing a new idea or a thought is sharing it with a good intention. Believing that the person wishes to contribute growth to the company, group or team. That the person is motivated and empowered. More than the idea, the focus here is to appreciate his efforts to contribute. Yes, the world is evil. People may not have loving intentions every time, they might wish ill. But, it is necessary to shift perspectives to grow and understand life in better ways. One has to look for loving intentions, not find them.

5. “Acknowledge the Greatness Within Me.”

Everyone can be successful. Everybody has the potential to grow. People feel motivated when someone is appreciating their growth and achievements. This request acknowledges greatness and uniqueness in every individual. It is a fact that each person possesses a spark. When you appreciate and affirm the greatness in every person, you are empowering them. They become bigger, brighter, stand taller and think wisely!

All these requests are a powerful means to strengthen one’s own self and the community as a whole. Leading by heart is not a strategy to make people work effectively. It is a means to understand life and people. It is indeed a way of life. One can design unique ways to respect, acknowledge and listen to, in order to grow as a community.

What are your thoughts?

Write. Share. Grow.