Many of what is written about leadership has to do with the competencies, tasks, and skills you need as a leader. That's leading with your head. And being an effective leaders includes all of it.
Yet, what really makes you an effective leader is how you listen to your heart and lead with your heart. It is not so much what you do as who you are.
- Who you are when you have to choose between what is expedient and what is right.
- Who you are when you have to face your fears and make a tough call.
- Who you are when you have to choose between what is ethical and what you might conveniently get away with.
- Who you are when you make yourself do what is dangerous because your heart tells you to.
- Who you are when you have to choose between being politically correct, and being truthful.
Leading with the heart has to do with bringing to your job the very core of you, the center of your life, the inner qualities you possess. It means to bring your underlying attitudes and guiding motives. It means cultivating your character and being sure of your deepest values.
Organizations can always find and train leaders to acquire the head competencies. But what will make you indispensable and remarkable is how well you can merge your head and your heart. The quality of your character, who you are deep down in your heart, is what will make you an extraordinary leader.
Remember. . .
When you lead not only from your head, but also from your heart, you will be authentic and people will recognize the greatness and rightness of your leadership, because you will be sharing the best of you. In so doing, you will invite others to also bring the best of themselves to the organization.
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Photo by: Nina Matthews Photography