Leadership is an action, not a position.
-Donald McGannon
In the Oxford Dictionary, leadership is defined as “the action of leading a group of people or an organization.”
The definition makes it sound so simple. Or is it? Although, if you have been in such a position, you know that there is nothing simple about it. There is always something to learn in order to lead effectively.
Today’s traditional leadership tactics still lean towards a facts and figures approach. However, the business climate is changing, which is redefining the meaning of effective leadership.
A New Paradigm
In a Fortune Magazine article, it describes a changing business world that requires a leadership model.
A model “in which leaders must influence a wide range of groups over which they have no direct authority. Those groups typically command much power of their own through their access to information and their ability to communicate with practically anyone.”
Colvin calls this a shift from an era of hot-power leadership to cool-power leadership. Both men and women in these roles will need to start adapting to this new paradigm in order to be effective.
It is no longer about giving orders; it’s about making connections.
Heart Before Head
A “typical” leadership style stresses the use of metrics in making decisions about your organization. It is certainly a valid method, but by no means the only method.
Another option is to lead with your heart, using your mind to guide your strategy and metrics as a decision-making filter to support your intuition.
In an Elite Daily article, life coach Francisco Alvarez uses some key, heart-centered questions to guide him through the decision-making process.
What inkling or hunch is present the most?
Does my decision have the potential for regret later?
Will my decision be in the best interest of others, not just myself?
Alvarez also cites Baba Shiv (a Stanford University marketing professor) who believes that the power of emotion is critical in decision-making.
She explains that our brains first evaluate the options through empirical evidence before turning to emotions as a guide to make sound decisions.
Holistic Leadership
With this heart-centered approach, you are making decisions with your authentic self. Your mind and your heart are working together, but you are allowing metrics to be the filter.
Presenting leadership as a list of carefully defined qualities (like strategic, analytical, and performance-oriented) no longer holds.
Instead, it stems from individuality that is honest and sometimes imperfectly expressed. Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.
-Sheryl Sandberg
As the business climate continues to change, the heart-centered approach may very well be the most valuable and effective upgrade to your leadership toolbox.
—
Photo credit: Getty Images