Balanced Leadership – A Heart-Centered Approach

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Kayla M. Sweet, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

I firmly believe that leadership has to change – and in many spaces, I have already seen this transformation begin. A wealth of research supports more compassionate forms of leadership than what’s been common in the past. Some models that appear particularly promising include Transformational Leadership, Conscious Leadership, Authentic Leadership, Servant Leadership, and Spiritual Leadership. Each of these, in their own unique way, pushes back against the coercive and toxic forms of leadership that, while beginning to dissolve, are still too prevalent today.

These newer forms of leadership that are transforming workplaces don’t happen by accident.

Most of us agree that leadership is no longer about dictating and keeping a tight grip on the reins. Today’s most successful leaders lead with a balanced approach, blending heart, compassion, generosity, kindness, authenticity, and awareness. This type of leadership brings out the best in others while empowering them to reach their full potential. However, this type of balanced leadership requires a conscious effort to navigate complex relationships, sustain personal well-being, and maintain focus on the big vision.

These leaders are dedicated to personal and professional growth and are putting in the work to lead from a heart-centered and balanced place within themselves. They recognize the importance of prioritizing their mental health so they can show up for others healthily.

Balanced leaders model the way forward for their teams by saying goodbye to the overworking that leads to burnout and emotional volatility. They prioritize a balanced schedule and create environments where others can lead lives of balance without feeling guilt and shame for not putting in 50+ hours a week.

Balanced leaders recognize that people perform better and are more capable of contributing to creativity, innovation, and transformation in organizations when they are nourished by their lives personally and professionally.

So, let’s explore how we can create this balanced leadership environment.

Leading with Presence & Awareness

The first step in creating a balanced leadership environment is to become present and aware of our thoughts and emotions. We must be mindful of our current state before we can begin to be aware of the needs and states of those around us. I’m sure you’ve heard about the benefits of mindfulness by now, and the buzz around these practices is there for good reason. By practicing presence through meditation or mindfulness techniques, we learn to observe our thoughts without judgment or attachment so that we can better relate to ourselves and those around us. Additionally, mindfulness reduces anxiety, reduces implicit age and race bias, improves cognition, and supports the brain in reducing distractions. Don’t think you can get on board with the traditional seated meditation practices? That’s okay! Mindfulness can be cultivated in various ways beyond what might initially come to mind.

Ways to Practice Mindfulness at Work:

1. Make Time for Transitions

One of the best times to practice mindfulness is during transitions – when you’re moving from one task to another. Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, take a few deep breaths and focus on the present moment. This will help you clear your mind and focus more on the task at hand.

There is also room to integrate mini-celebrations into the transition space. You complete a task, respond to an email, have a productive meeting, whatever it may be – stop for a moment to celebrate what has been accomplished and relish in that for a moment before getting lost in the next thing. So often, we don’t give ourselves space to enjoy what we’ve done before moving on to the next task. Transitioning mindfully can change this pattern, increasing our awareness of all that we have done.

2. Take a Break

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed at work, take a break! Go for a walk, get some fresh air, or step away from your desk for a few minutes. Taking a break will help you clear your head and return to your work with fresh eyes. There is really nothing better for your mind, body, and soul at work than giving yourself space to take a break. Don’t skip your lunch; take breathers throughout the day as needed. Now, I recognize that not all workplaces support and encourage the space for a break. If you are a leader in a culture where breaks are frowned upon – it’s time to make a change because not only are breaks built into the law, but breaks during the workday increase productivity, reduce workplace accidents and injuries, increase employee morale, and increase job satisfaction. So, take a break and encourage others to do the same!

3. Be Present in Meetings

Mindfulness can also be helpful in meetings. Instead of letting your mind wander, focus on the present moment and really listen to what others are saying. This will help you to be more engaged in the meeting and make better decisions. When you catch your mind drifting to your to-do list, what you are going to eat for lunch, or another project you are working on – gently bring yourself back. Asking questions, sharing feedback, and taking notes while listening to others can all help bring you into the moment.

4. Pay Attention to Your Body

When you’re sitting at your desk all day, it’s easy to forget about your body. But paying attention to your physical sensations can be a great way to practice mindfulness. Stress lives in the body and listening to the signs and signals the body gives us is a great way to practice self-care. Notice how your body feels, listen to what it needs, and take breaks if you start to feel uncomfortable. This will help you to stay healthy and avoid burnout.

5. Connect with nature

If possible, take a few minutes each day to step outside and connect with nature. Even if it’s just walking around the block or sitting in a park, being in nature can help reduce stress and promote well-being. It might seem challenging to get outside of the office during a busy work week, but the benefits will outweigh the cost of the few moments you weren’t at your desk.

Leaders who practice presence and awareness often find that they become more creative in their work as they free up mental energy which was previously consumed by negative emotions or unproductive thoughts. When we practice mindfulness, it becomes easier for us to recognize patterns in our environment and respond to situations with compassion and clarity.

Living & Leading With Heart

When leading with heart, it is essential to remember that your job as a leader is not just about getting results but also about connecting with people on an emotional level. As leaders, our role is to motivate team members toward success by inspiring them with passion for their work. This will look different for each person; some may need encouragement through positive reinforcement, while others may need guidance through constructive feedback or mentorship sessions.

Ultimately, leading with heart means taking an active interest in the people you are leading – this includes understanding each individual’s strengths and weaknesses and listening carefully when they speak.

5 Steps to Leading with Heart

1. Be authentic

The first step to being a heart-centered leader is to be authentic. This means being true to yourself and your values. It also means being transparent with your team and being open to feedback. People have a natural ability to notice inauthenticity. Even when they can’t put their finger on it, they often get a sense of uneasiness and mistrust. This corrodes workplace culture and minimizes the positive impact you can make. When you are authentic, your team will trust you and feel comfortable following your lead.

2. Be compassionate

The second step to being a heart-centered leader is to be compassionate. This means genuinely caring about your team and their well-being. It also means being understanding and supportive, even when things are tough. This requires that you slow down and get to know people. It requires that you learn to stop, listen, and validate the experiences of others without getting defensive or brushing things off because the timing isn’t convenient. Seeing, hearing, and respecting people’s lived experiences are part of showing compassion. When you are compassionate, your team will feel appreciated and motivated to do their best work.

3. Be empowering

The third step to being a heart-centered leader is to be empowering. This means giving your team the power to make decisions and take action. It also means providing them with the resources they need to be successful. You don’t need to micromanage every detail of a project, and you shouldn’t. Rather than taking on tasks that should be delegated to others, give your people what they need and empower them to problem-solve independently. When you are empowering, your team will feel confident and capable of achieving great things. Your team will perform better and feel like their contributions are valued, and you will be more able to focus on the big picture.

4. Be inspiring

The fourth step to being a heart-centered leader is to be inspiring. This means setting a vision for your team and helping them see the potential in themselves. It also means leading by example and showing them that anything is possible if they set their minds to it. Impacting, influencing, and inspiring your team is what leadership is all about. You are the glue that connects people to the organization’s mission, vision, and values. You get to support your team in identifying how their personal purpose aligns with their work. You get the opportunity to shine a light on people’s strengths and support them in developing professionally. When you are inspiring, your team will be motivated to reach their full potential.

5. Be inclusive

The fifth step to being a heart-centered leader is to be inclusive. This means valuing diversity and making everyone feel like they belong. It also means creating an environment where everyone can be themselves and share their unique perspectives. When inclusivity is lacking, and people don’t feel a sense of belonging at work, it not only corrodes the culture but also psychologically damages the excluded individual(s). Any leadership that lacks inclusivity is NOT leadership at all. As a leader, you are responsible for doing the work you need to do around diversity, inclusion, and belonging. You are also responsible for creating an environment where mutual respect and caring for one another is the expectation 100% of the time. When you are inclusive, your team will feel respected and appreciated for who they are.

Conclusion:

Balanced leadership requires patience and practice – there will be ups and downs along the way! It’s okay to be a work in progress as long as you remain open to learning and leading from the heart. It’s important to remember that leaders today should not have all the answers nor run themselves into the ground trying to do everything themselves.

Instead, prioritize self-care by living authentically within your values and passions – let these guide you in making hard decisions with heart while inspiring others towards greatness through meaningful connections built on trust and respect.

Leaders who embody this kind of compassionate balance can create powerful working environments where employees feel empowered instead of overworked or overwhelmed by their work. With this kind of balanced approach that combines presence & awareness with heart & compassion – anything is possible!

Remember that you cannot fully embody a heart-centered approach to leadership if you are not coming from a place of self-love. So, offer yourself the same level of compassion you are bringing to everyone else and be gentle with yourself on the hard days.

Take care of yourself today and every day.

Warmly,

-Kayla

Schedule a free discovery call with me today if you feel burned out. Together, we will determine if the Burnout to Balance coaching program is a good fit for you. You will leave the call with clarity about where you are in the burnout cycle and what steps you need to take to reclaim your life.