In times of change, people naturally look to leaders to chart the course forward. That leader could be you. Whoever you are, no matter your job title, you can make an important impact right now by showing up with an open heart, open mind, and without pretense. In other words, showing up wholeheartedly.
Here are three guiding principles to wholehearted leadership to help you along your way.
Guiding Principle 1: Look inward
You can only take others as far as you have come. The best leaders lead people from a deep understanding of who they are and what they believe. They do the necessary inner reflective work to connect with their leadership purpose and understand what they care about most. By doing so, they can look inward for strength and courage in times of change.
Looking inward takes you beyond intellectual study; you must study yourself. A lot of leaders fall into the trap of only leading with their heads. This doesn’t work. They fail to capture the hearts of their people because they have not revealed their hearts in action or through leadership style.
Leading from the depths of who you are allows you to operate transparently while being purpose- and people-driven.
Guiding Principle 2:
Do the right thing
As the world changes, leaders must adapt or risk their organization falling prey to rapid change. Agility and courage are close cousins. Without the ability to take bold action that aligns with your core values, you won’t be able to adapt in a timely way.
To adapt to change and steward your team, you need clarity of vision. This is an ongoing process of discernment. Journaling can serve as a powerful tool for lifting the fog and revealing the way. Doing the right thing is not necessarily easy. This is where courage comes in. Not everyone will agree with your vision. There will be times when you may have to stand in the fire. Being rooted in who you are will give you the courage to do the right thing.
Guiding Principle 3:
Lead by listening
To effect change, it’s always wise to listen first. People need to be seen, heard and understood. To connect with others and help them feel valued, be willing to listen first. This also ensures you’re being exposed to ideas that can help clarify the vision.
The best way to expand your mind and communicate the vision is to get out and be among the people. Walking around, being present, connecting with others, will not only help you keep a finger on the pulse of the organization, but it is also the key to unlocking better employee engagement and improved performance.
The leader people are looking for could be you.
Jennifer Zach is a national coach, speaker and trainer who resides in the Corridor.  www.jennifer-zach.com
