In her book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown says, “We desperately need more leaders who are committed to courageous wholehearted leadership and who are aware enough to lead from their hearts.” In cultures that reward “being right” over the expression of vulnerability or curiosity, how can we begin to lead from the heart?
Here in Organizational Development, we build and nurture learning communities based on these values. And we offer hundreds of related workshops throughout the year.
We frequently ask participants to “think of a leader who really brought out the best in you and inspired you do your best work. How would you describe this leader?” Rarely do we hear, “She was the foremost expert in her field” or “His brilliant organizational skills inspired me.” McGill employees usually share that this inspirational leader (is):
- Approachable, I could come to them if I had a suggestion or made a mistake
- Honest and authentic
- Believed in me and my ability, even when I was just learning the ropes
- Admitted when they were wrong
- Supported the team – rolled up their sleeves during peak periods
- Dealt with underperformers and could engage in difficult conversations
- Communicated expectations clearly and checked-in with me
It takes courage and vulnerability. It is about showing up authentically - even when it is uncomfortable or difficult. It is easy to think that courage and vulnerability apply more to our personal journeys. In fact, research shows us that these values are just as important in today’s rapidly changing workplace.
The next time you feel your heart contracting around a challenging issue, recognize the feeling, pause, take a deep breath and lean away from a ‘command and control’ response. Instead explore what you might be assuming, avoiding, or needing… and how you could approach this challenge with an open heart. You might be amazed at the outcomes.