Working with Heart

I worked in high tech companies for 15 years. I sat through many "all hands" talks intended to engage employees in the "initiative of the month" but only one of these gatherings stands out in my mind.

A department head, known for his technical brilliance, was addressing his staff in an auditorium. In the course of covering business issues, he talked about the impact of an early retirement package that resulted in many of our colleagues leaving the company. As I listened, he caught me by surprise. He stopped mid-sentence, choking back tears. After a few seconds of silence, he talked about how two friends who had hired him twenty years ago and mentored him throughout his career were part of the exodus. It was a personal moment that everyone in the audience could relate to. He spoke for everyone in the audience who grieved for the loss of long-time colleagues.

This is not to say that leaders should be blubbering in front of their staff at every turn. It is to say that effective leaders are genuine and unafraid to show up as who they are, especially when it means being human. In return, employees will have a connection to that leader which cannot be broken or diluted. When leaders lead from the heart as well as the head, they meet us at a human level. He or she is "one of us" and we trust them to tell us the truth.

-- Carol Ross

Return to Executive Coaching page.

---

For more about Executive Coaching, see Executive Coaching FAQ.

Ready to create great results together? Let's start talking. Contact us for a complimentary consultation.