What Kind of Leader Do You Want To Be?

I believe we all deserve to work for inspiring leaders. Inspiring leaders lift us up, nurture our strengths, share a vision, and are committed to helping us grow into our potential. This is a tall order, and sadly, these kinds of leaders are few and far between.

Inspiring leaders are individuals who are committed to developing their effectiveness and are incredibly intentional with their efforts to grow as leaders. I believe that one of key ingredients to inspiring leadership is emotional intelligence, which can be developed in us if we are attentive to the domains of emotional intelligence. Daniel Goleman, internationally known psychologist, writes “Great leaders move us. They ignite our passion and inspire the best in us. When we try to explain why they are so effective, we speak of strategy, vision or powerful ideas. But the reality is much more primal. Great leadership works through emotions.”

If more leaders were comfortable with the idea that they need to tap into our hearts, as well as our heads, we would be more inspired to rise to challenges and work hard to achieve the mission, all while staying motivated in the day to day grind. It takes a very self-assured and self-aware person to lead in this manner, and often the kind of vulnerability that is required to lead in this way is so uncomfortable for people, they steer clear of it.

I have witnessed the dichotomy of these two ways of leading—head versus heart—throughout my career. I had the benefit of working for one leader who was incredibly intelligent, strategic, and courageous as a leader, while also showing vulnerability, compassion, and empathy with her staff. This leader developed a high performing team that was infused with trust, high-quality work, and commitment to achieving goals. I remember discovering my own potential during her tenure. I knew she believed in me and that inspired me to rise.

On the heels of this leader came a person who led only from her mind (not her heart) and while she was strategic in her approach to the work, she was completely ineffective at bringing along the team with a shared vision. The prior trust that we enjoyed quickly eroded as our own emotional state deteriorated when we did not feel valued, trusted, or included. That leader’s inability to demonstrate her trust in us quickly undermined the positive culture we previously enjoyed.

Inspiring leadership is what the world needs most, and it will require a shift in the way we think about leadership and what we celebrate about leadership. This is the style of leadership we all crave so we can be our best and develop our potential. The role of a leader is to help others rise.

So, let me leave you with this question:  What kind of leader do you want to be?

This year of collective vulnerability has exposed the cracks in our system and taken us on a wild ride that we didn’t sign up for. Our Inspiring Resilience framework will help you develop a simple, personalized, and practical plan that will help you cultivate a sustainable and resilient way of being and leading. Book a discovery call with Diane to discuss how this framework can support you and your teams.