Emotional Leadership
Every leader has their own style of leadership and there is lots written about being ‘authentic’ and leading with ‘integrity’, and of course this takes time to develop.
What I’ve noticed is that sometimes leaders can get a bit stuck in their career transition and associated ‘Leadership Behaviours’.
The general consensus seems to be that a leader should be calm and in control -‘professional’. No one wants a leader who is out of control, or over reacting to every situation.
As leaders progress in their careers, I see them learn to listen, to be thoughtful and considered. They take the time to be able to see all perspectives, and this takes patience and several very deep breaths! For the most part this pattern of behaviour serves them well – then they get to the part where they need to be inspirational and lead a team, a department, or a company.
Now they have to show passion, energy, and determination to create ‘followship’. But for some the controlled ‘professional’ behaviour pattern is a tough one to break. Whilst caring passionately about what they do, they are confused when they are described as coming across as distant, disinterested or ambivalent to situations.
Their learned behaviour has taught them that over use of ‘emotions’ is not a good thing.
This is where I help them see a subtle difference between ‘expressing emotions’ and ‘displaying emotions’. To express an emotion is to articulate what is happening – “I feel very concerned about…. I am anxious about……. I am really excited by………”. To display an emotion is to enter into it and let rip! However as with all things, there is a balance.
Learning to express emotion in the leadership space lets others know what you are feeling and to get your sense of urgency, passion, disappointment etc. They feel your heart beat – they get it and they get you.
Annie, x
