Leading with Heart: The Transformative Power of Connection, Vulnerability, and Empathy

In the early days of my career, a senior leader I greatly admired shared a personal family tragedy with me. This was a person who, from my perspective, embodied the epitome of success: impeccable leadership, outstanding professionalism, and an idyllic family life. The revelation of his struggles was shocking. It made me realize that beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect life, they were grappling with profound human challenges.

As a young professional, for me, this was an awakening. I was able to provide comfort to this leader, someone I looked up to, and help them on their personal journey. This experience stuck with me and was a pivotal moment in my understanding of what true leadership means. It taught me that no matter where someone is on their journey, they may need help, and that anyone, regardless of their position, can provide meaningful support.

This realization marked the beginning of my journey towards compassionate leadership.

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and increasing automation, there's one human characteristic that remains irreplaceable: the ability to lead from the heart. This means connecting on a deeper level, empathizing with others, and showing vulnerability.

Heart-centered leadership isn't a soft approach; it's a powerful one. When I built large-scale sales teams for our liquor distribution and brand businesses and scaled my technology software business globally, I realized that leading with empathy wasn't just about being nice. It was about driving results by creating an environment where people felt valued and understood. It was about recognizing that my team members were not just employees, but human beings with their own dreams, challenges, and hopes.

As leaders, we need to cultivate a culture of authenticity and emotional intelligence, where vulnerability is seen as a strength rather than a weakness. This involves recognizing our own emotions, understanding the emotions of others, and using this understanding to guide our actions and decisions.

And yes, I've also experienced the power of emotionally intelligent leadership in the world of mergers and acquisitions, both as a buyer of hundreds of millions of dollars of companies and brands, and now helping my clients at STS Capital achieve extraordinary exits in selling their businesses to global strategic buyers. In this high-stakes world, leading from the heart has been instrumental in fostering trust and building lasting relationships.

Recently, a friend of mine, a community leader, and a public company head who seems to have everything: leadership roles, a beautiful family, a seat on prestigious boards, revealed a deeply personal struggle. Having overcome a series of devastating assaults from a family member in her youth, she had never shared this part of her history until recently. We were working together to assist another friend when, in response to my sharing my own journey overcoming extreme adversity, she shared her story.

The shock of what she endured was immense, but so too was my admiration for her incredible strength. In many cases, such circumstances can lead a person to perpetuate abuse or become unable to function in society. Yet she had risen, undeterred, to become a successful leader, an inspiration, and a beacon of strength for others. Her bravery in sharing her story inspired me even more and underscored the importance of leadership with emotional courage. It's this kind of vulnerability and connection that can truly inspire others, and it's why I felt compelled to share this concept of "leading with heart" with you.

My friend, partner and the founder and Chairman of STS Capital Partners , Rob Follows , was with me this week at the Campden Wealth / Institute for Private Investors IPI Spring Forum in New York, where we had the opportunity to hear from Jenny Johnson , President and CEO of Franklin Templeton , on her views of leadership and running a firm with over $1.5 trillion in assets. Her key tenets of leadership are People, Purpose, Passion, and Persistence. As Johnson has pointed out, leaders need to surround themselves with intelligent people, challenging individuals, communicate their purpose clearly, act with unwavering passion, and showcase relentless persistence, even in the face of failure.

The integration of these principles with heart-forward leadership can create a remarkable transformation. Purpose drives us, serving as our 'North Star'. Passion motivates and inspires, creating a ripple effect throughout our teams. Persistence showcases our resilience, demonstrating that setbacks are simply steppingstones on the path to success. But at the core of all this is People, the individuals that make our teams what they are. These are the individuals we connect with when we lead from the heart.

I really admire how Rob also lives these principles in his work and life.??A long-time believer in being true to oneself and following your heart, Rob has done amazing things in his life, including climbing the Seven Summits and creating an unbelievable powerhouse in the world of M&A through his work at STS Capital.??His commitment to creating billions of dollars in new philanthropic capital by helping entrepreneurs sell their companies with extraordinary exits (STS = Success-To-Significance) is inspiring to all his partners, our team, clients and the strategic buyers with which we match them.??This commitment to helping others reach their potential is exactly what I’m talking about!

Leadership with emotional courage is about striking the perfect balance between the head and the heart, leveraging the strengths of both to create extraordinary results. By doing so, you will not only achieve professional success but also create a lasting legacy of leadership that will inspire others to follow in your footsteps.

The heart-centric approach seems a little unorthodox in a world that often values logic and reason above all. We’re conditioned to believe that the best leaders are those who maintain a steely resolve, a sturdy armor of stoicism. But as I’ve discovered throughout my professional life, the path to authentic leadership often veers away from the traditional, instead leading us down a road that is far less traveled.

Remember, leading with empathy does not make you a soft leader. On the contrary, it amplifies your strength. It shows your team that you're human, that you understand their challenges, and that you're committed to supporting them.

In the words of renowned philosopher and writer?Albert Schweitzer, "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing." When you lead from the heart, you become that example. You inspire others to not only do their best in their professional lives but also to become better human beings. Love doesn’t just belong at home.

Embrace heart-centered leadership and watch how it transforms not just you, but everyone around you.

"There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first. When you learn to live for others, they will live for you."?

-?Paramahansa Yogananda?an Indian Hindu?monk ,?yogi ?and?guru ?who introduced millions to the teachings of?meditation ?and?Kriya Yoga

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