Week 23.32 At Heart

This past weekend I was at my aunt Joan's house in Connecticut, which is one of the most heart-forward homes I have ever seen. It is as though every element of the home, the landscape, and the environment emanates "Joanness" with a sense of beauty, elegance, and welcome. The next day I flew to Colorado to visit Jacquelyn in the home she grew up in, an active ranch in the Beulah Valley. It was also an exceptionally heart-forward home, nestled in a mountain valley, a recently baled hay crop in the field, and a boldly constructed, lofty home. It emanated the "Laneness" of the family that made it a home, filled with family photos, horse show ribbons, air, light, and sky. The sameness, despite the differences, inspired me to think about what gives a place a sense of heart.

Sense of Person. In both Colorado and Connecticut, the first thing that is revealed is that each place is a perfect expression of the sense of the person. Both homes are a collection of their memories, beloved items, and space they enjoy inhabiting. It reflects their patterns of daily life, and you can sense what they value by what they curate around them, sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously. Joan is brimming with hospitality and generosity that comes so naturally to her. Although it is hard to look at anything without thinking it has been intentionally placed, a sense of ease implies that everything is in its natural home. The Lanes are open and inviting, expansive and boundless. Their spirit is one of building and structure, of spaces simultaneously defined and flowing openly from one to the next. There is a strong sense of family, community, and greater purpose. By witnessing them in their natural habitats, I feel that I understand Joan and Jacquelyn on a deeper level. The home without the person ceases to have life.?

Sense of Place. In Connecticut, there is a sense of the lushness of the seaside, the fullness of the sun and water, and the open expansiveness of the Long Island Sound. There is a strong pull of the tides; the movement from high water to low tide is reflected in the sounds, the activity, and the scents in the wind. The stone house provides the idea of stability and the need for strength against the elements. The Colorado ranch is composed of open fields at the bottom of a valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides, feeling both expansive and intimate.. The home is built around these views - the light on the clouds and mountains changes throughout the day in rich hues of purple, blue, and red. Hay is grown and harvested for the horses in the stables, and various wildlife are frequent visitors. The home without the place ceases to have context.?

Sense of Purpose. Both the Connecticut home and the Colorado ranch were created, designed, and maintained with an underlying sense of purpose. The purpose is the reason that the place exists, the reason that the people who inhabit them pour their heart into it. In Connecticut, Joan made a home that maintains a sense of playfulness, beauty, and ease. There are little objects in unusual places that signal serendipity; a small sailboat in the water says it's always time to play. Fishing rods and tackle are conveniently left near where fishing occurs. And gardens overflow with abundance and variety. In Colorado, the Lanes created a feeling of spaciousness - big windows with views, three large dining tables, and enough space for each person to do what’s rejuvenating for them, whether that’s outdoor adventures, reading a book in a quiet corner, or hosting friends. The home and the land are built enough to provide a sense of family while accepting and honoring the valley's natural beauty. The home without purpose ceases to have meaning.?

We can bring a sense of person, place, and purpose as we seek to create a heart in business. In life and leadership, we have opportunities to bring our authentic selves to work, ideally inspiring those we love and lead to feel open and share themselves. We can create places that express our true values - not those we think we ought to have - and create an environment for others to share in them. And we can establish a workplace with a sense of purpose that allows us to work with intention toward our desired destination. Experiencing these two worlds has inspired me to lean even more fully, supporting the growth of leadership that comes from the heart.

New study finds more effective way to coach and inspire by Anthony (Tony) Jack

"Many think the best way to get others-; and themselves-;to change is to use some combination of carrot and stick, for instance, by sandwiching a criticism with compliments," Jack said. "These findings show why it works better to get the individual to focus first and foremost on their dreams and aspirations for the future." Once someone has developed a clear vision of their ideal self, he said, they become willing and eager to grow instead of willful, resistant and prone to denial.

"Many managers overestimate the importance of telling their employees about their strengths and weaknesses. The real trick is to help someone get to a place where they are actively seeking feedback for themselves," Jack said. "Companies, coaches and managers who want people to change must hold their tongue about what they think needs fixing. Instead, they must put their faith in the individual's intrinsic desire to grow and allow them to direct their own development process. Otherwise, they are likely to hit a wall of psychological resistance."

Friendtor - When Your Friend Makes You Better by Ruth Gotian, Ed.D., M.S.

The higher you climb the corporate ladder, the more challenging it can become to find a mentor who can envision your potential in ways you can’t see. In leadership and academia, it is rare to find individuals who possess professional excellence and genuine respect for one another to the point that they willingly mentor each other. Drs. Lynn Perry Wooten and Erika H. James , two trailblazing women at the pinnacle of their careers, defied conventional norms by forging a unique and powerful bond as friendtors.

Close friends talk to each other daily on their way to work and think through challenges together. They are friends and peer mentors who can empathize with each other’s challenges, support each other, and finish each other’s sentences. They showcase the power of true friendship, collaboration, and mentorship; they are each other’s friendtors.

The Power of the Ordinary: Why the Basics Matter (thinkers360.com) by Dean Miles, MA - Executive Coach

In the whirlwind of innovation, novelty, and constant change, let's take a moment to honor the bedrock of any successful endeavor - the basics. As we continue to reach for the stars, it's essential to remember that the launchpad for any great achievement starts with mastering the fundamentals. Alan Mulally , the former CEO of Ford, is credited with one of the most remarkable turnarounds in business history. Mulally's approach was built on a relentless emphasis on the basics. He introduced a straightforward plan, "One Ford," which simplified the company's product line, focused on the core brand, and emphasized teamwork and clear, honest communication. He understood that the path to a sustainable future began with getting back to the fundamentals.

In the field of leadership development, few are as respected as Marshall Goldsmith . His philosophy, often encapsulated in his famous phrase "What got you here won't get you there," focuses on the basic yet profound understanding that successful leaders must constantly learn, grow, and adapt. Goldsmith's teachings remind us that self-awareness, feedback, and a willingness to change – the basics of personal growth – are vital to leadership success. The basics may not be glamorous. They may not provide the thrill of the new, the innovative, or the cutting edge. But once we lose sight of these, the appeal of the exciting and the novel begins to wane. The basics are not just the foundation but the pillars that uphold the structure of greatness.

With love, gratitude and wonder. Scott