Get to the Heart of the Matter

Mention the word 'heart' in business and watch how people’s eyes glaze over, a yawn suddenly appears, and they need to be somewhere else...why?

Well, it's normal to think that way. We've been conditioned to believe our hearts belong at home while we slip into our ‘tough superhero outfit’ at work to drive results and deliver the goods.

It may work for the short-term but at what cost to your health, family, self-esteem, and relationships? Performance dwindles, top talent leaves, innovation dries up and sooner or later you're looking for a new job.

But it doesn't need to be that way. Heart (or character) isn't some obscure concept but rather a strong foundation on which sustainable, thriving organisations are built. Charisma gets you in the room, but character keeps you there.

Based on my experience, I’ve listed a dozen attributes that reflect 'Leaders with Heart':

Create safety – a workplace safe for others to express opinions, ideas and respectfully push-back, without retribution.

Be teachable – humility for self-exploration and a willingness to learn from others. They don't have to be the smartest person in the room.

Honour people - respect all people no matter their position in the organisation or society. Respect, kindness, and grace toward people demonstrates honour.

Self-aware - trust people to provide feedback. Denial is a powerful human emotion that holds us back.

Servant focus - desire to genuinely serve others and do the right thing.

Be authentic - speak your truth. The story of your life is not your life, it's your story. Have the courage to let go of past hurts and fears.

Vision - a clear vision and a deeper sense of purpose. It inspires people to greatness.

Calm command – strength of character to lead with a calm and consistent style, despite the circumstances. It breeds confidence, respect, and trust.

Language – we perceive others by their behaviour and ourselves by our intentions. The wrong choice of words and behaviour is the kiss of death.

Explain behaviour – let people know when behaving differently in difficult situations. The 'why' provides context. People are more forgiving than you think.

Celebrate mistakes – humans are conditioned to hide or defend mistakes. Build a culture that admits and celebrates them. It’s where innovation thrives.

Kill the ego - keep ego in check. Killing ego is one of the hardest things for a high achiever to do. Knowing your real purpose helps overcome 'unhealthy' ego.