Think Like a Leader
We live in the age of data and algorithms. We have almost unlimited facts and figures at our fingertips. But this can tip the head and heart balance too much in one direction. How much does our own thinking make space for the less tangible – the feelings and emotions that underpin human behaviour? When we are facing what seems like a tidal wave of information, we need to bring the balance of recognising the emotional undercurrents.
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Feel Like a Leader
In the end, leadership is not intellectual or cognitive. Leadership is emotional. So says an expert in the field, Dr. Judy Bardwick, who combines cutting-edge psychological research with practical business applications to optimise organisational performance. The research consistently backs the importance of using head and heart. Do you consciously work on both?
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Act Like a Leader
Paul Gibbons says that ‘too few leaders have the emotional fortitude to take responsibility for failure’. How would you rank your own ‘emotional fortitude’? What do your actions tell your colleagues? Being a leader is a head and heart job – get them in balance and make sure both are evident for all to see.
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What is a feeling? This podcast is from the ‘Emotional Leadership’ podcast series presented by Emily Leathers. In this episode she says that the key to reaching your goals is to stop trying to distract yourself from emotional experiences you’re not comfortable with. That’s much, much easier when you know what an emotion is. She explains what an emotion is, why you like some and hate others, and how to get more comfortable with all of them so you can stop distracting yourself and get to work on your dreams.
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Leadership is about Emotion is another article from Forbes – a great source of leadership advice. This article makes some great points in considering how to improve your own balance.
- This ability to reach people in a way that transcends the intellectual and rational is the mark of a great leader.
- When we’re inspired, we tap into our best selves and deliver amazing work.
- Great leaders understand empathy and have the ability to read people’s (sometimes unconscious, often unstated) needs and desires.
- Leadership is both an art and a science.
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‘Brené Brown's Life Advice on Emotions Will Leave You Speechless’ is the title of this very popular video on YouTube. ‘Brené Brown has become a sought after broadcaster and author. Does it leave you speechless?
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Why do some images evoke emotions – even an old relief map? This map is one of the earliest representations I remember of the Clyde Coast. My early childhood holidays were spent ‘doon the watter’. My father’s first job was as a purser on the Clyde steamers – which is what this map is advertising – clearly showing piers and rail connections. This photo of the map was taken at one of the UK’s finest rail/pier connections – Wemyss Bay.
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Emotional Value Creating Strong Bonds with Your Customers by Janelle Barlow and Dianna Maul, published by Berrett-Koehlerin 2000.
"Emotional value" is the economic worth of feelings, which can make a customer want to come back often - or never come back. And emotional value is as important to your colleagues as it is to clients or patients or customers.
So the emotional experiences these different stakeholders have can make or break your business. Loyalty is rooted in emotion, so you need to find out what your customers and colleagues want and need.
“If we expect staff to emotionally connect with customers, the organisation’s structure itself must reflect this approach by valuing staff connection with the organisation.”
“Adding emotional value to customers’ experiences is one of the strongest competitive advantages and requires not only upgrading staff emotional competency but also upgrading business operations so they positively impact emotions within organisations.”
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A Photographic Memory #105
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...without a little reflection, there is no Insight Added.
"Cool is the emotional straight-jacket. It makes us less available for connection which makes us less equipped for leadership roles."
— Brene Brown
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Lead well
Graham and Lesley
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