“Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.” -JOHN C. MAXWELL
Welcome to February. The month we celebrate Valentine’s Day… a day we communicate and celebrate with our hearts.
In the United States, according to Wikipedia, about 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, not including the hundreds of millions of cards school children exchange. Additionally, in recent decades Valentine’s Day has become increasingly commercialized and a popular gift-giving event. In fact, in the United States alone, the average valentine spends over $150.
Think of the time and the money we invest to tell others how we feel about them. I see this as an example of expressing and practicing gratitude because we are intentionally connecting with our special relationships and, in essence, letting them know how grateful we are to have them in our lives. But, do you reserve this expression and practice to just one day in February?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could embrace the spirit of Valentine’s Day everyday? And, wouldn’t it be beautiful to take our open hearts and heart-felt gratitude and infuse it into BOTH our personal and professional lives?
Throughout the ages and in modern times, poets, authors, and leaders have all acknowledged the power of the heart.
“And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”- STEVE JOBS
Imagine a world lead with heart. Let’s start a movement! Let’s set the standard and model the way, and LEAD WITH HEART. The time is perfect. Business has already moved toward a more nurturing, inspiring, collaborative type of leadership. Some view it as a more “feminine” leadership style. I think it’s a leadership that embraces the value that we are here to work together, learn from each other, leverage our collection of wisdom, and take care of each other.
“A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.” – ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON
Please don’t misunderstand me, knowledge is important. But, I believe that the heart is wise. The heart has its own voice. You might not be able to hear it, but you should be able to feel it – in the form of approval and appreciation.
Dr. Vicki Whiting, PhD, delivered the May 2015 commencement address at the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business’ MBA graduation at Westminster College. Her topic was “Leading With Heart.” As she spoke to the audience of MBA graduates and future business leaders, she encouraged them to “lead with their hearts” and she used HEART as an acronym to inscribe an inspiring message of five leadership principles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9yb-tSvwRU
Deborah Bateman brings over 40 years of experience in business, philanthropy, and the boardroom. She inspires others to seek their truth, open their hearts and minds, and experience the power and abundance life has to offer when lived authentically.
H is for Hearing. Hearing begins with listening. Listen to understand. Ask questions.
E is for Empathy. Empathy builds on hearing. Connect. Be sensitive to the thoughts and feeling of others.
A is for Appreciation. Appreciation is the single most important tool to motivate others. It is an universal source of energy.
R is for Resilience. In order to effect change, leaders have to put themselves forward and be vulnerable. There will be times when they will fail. Resilience, “It’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get up.”
T is for Trust. Trust provides the foundation for your leadership. You cannot be a leader with out trust. Strive to create and maintain that trust.
If you aspire to be a leader who makes a difference, this is just one simple guide that I hope provokes your thoughts, and has ignited your thinking
on how you can connect, create trust, motivate, and inspire others to be their best. And, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s day… every day.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” -JOHN QUINCY
ADAMS
What are your thoughts? What action can we take as leaders to effectively lead with our hearts?
My passion is to motivate and inspire individuals to grow personally and professionally through coaching and inner discovery. If you yearn for greater fulfillment in your life, if you know there’s more out there for you, I would love to help you to discover and unleash the power within you! Please reach out and connect!!
