The Oxford Dictionary defines leadership as, “The action of leading a group of people or an organisation.”

Leaders motivate, influence and inspire others to take action. Leaders help others become their best selves by embracing their strengths and achieving goals along the way. 

Leadership is a set of skills that we can each master. Yet before we can lead others, we need to know and lead ourselves. Therefore, leadership starts with the self.  Developing the leader within, and speaking to ourselves like a leader, are thus the first steps to becoming an effective leader and making a difference. After all, we cannot lead others until we can lead ourselves! 

With our self-knowledge and leadership skills honed, we are ready to embrace the HOW of leadership. 

You may have experienced leaders who lead from the head; the strategic, goal-focused and outcome-based approach is prevalent throughout industry, government and the business world.  Or, you might have encountered leaders who lead from the heart; focusing on connection with others, compassion and empathy. 

Or perhaps, you are one of the lucky few who have experienced leadership where the leader chooses to lead with BOTH head and heart. These rare leaders practice both art and science: they deliver solid results while also developing and maintaining relationships.

They use their heads to manage and their hearts to lead.

12 ways you can lead with your head and your heart

Here are 6 areas to explore in order to lead from your head, and 6 ways to lead from your heart.

6 Ways to Lead with your head

1. Create a strategy and plan

For your business and your career, create a strategy and plan and map it out. A career coach (that’s me!) can help with this. Always start at the top and work down. For example, start with your high-level strategy first, including 2 to 3 goals, and then develop your map for how you will get there and the specific actions that make up your plan.

(Need to create a career map or plan? Let’s chat)

2. Set goals, and hold yourself and others accountable

As a leader, your role is to keep others accountable and remind yourself and others of why it is important to stay on track and on-task. Your role is to paint the vision and help support your colleagues, employees, teammates and family members to work towards that same goal.

(Even the best leaders can need help with goal setting and accountability. Working with a coach, like me, can provide support)

3. Have solid systems and task-orientated things in your diary every day

Having a plan and goals is great, but if you don’t break them down into specific tasks that you will do and actions that are undertaken on a daily basis, consistency will be missing. And progress is made through frequent small steps. 

4. Don’t be afraid of challenging situations

When you’re a leader, you will face challenging situations. The key is to resolve them quickly via discussion, using your active listening skills and working towards coming to a common understanding and agreement. This is sometimes easier said than done, which is when embracing your strengths and connecting back to the vision and goals can assist.

5. Own your title

All of us are leaders, regardless of our title. Or, as my kids used to say, “I’m the boss of me!”. That said, people respect you when you put your title out there. It might feel awkward at first, but particularly in the business community and in the corporate world, a title can make the difference between people giving you the respect you deserve, or not. Additionally, owning and using your title helps build trust. As a leader, when you see people, acknowledge their title. Give them the respect that you would also appreciate.

6. Prioritise professional and personal development

As a leader, you should always have a structured plan for your own professional and personal development. In addition, determine a budget for your own personal and professional development for the year.  Look at your own blindspots and tackle them in this year's development plan.  If this is not something that is provided by your workplace, it can be worth setting aside a portion of your savings for this purpose. In some jurisdictions, there are tax deductions available for personal and professional development. 

(Not sure where to begin? Identify your strengths, and learn more about yourself)

6 ways to lead with your heart

1. Listen to your heart.

Take some time to get to know yourself. What are your key values? Look inside and explore. What makes you, you?  What is your vision for your life and work? What makes your soul sing?  Where do you want to make a difference? What is your heart telling you?

2. Value connectedness

Human connection is the number one thing people are looking for. The lack of human connection was one of the great contributors to the sense of loneliness and isolation experienced during the pandemic. Through valuing connectedness, we explore what we can do for ourselves and for others, which ultimately serves the common good. Part of this is loving yourself as well as caring for others. To address this, consider the question; what makes you feel good, connected and involved? If you genuinely love and have people’s back and value the connection, they will value you. Always listen.

3. Create positive relationships

Leadership is a relationship and you create an environment when you walk into the room. This is as apt in the workplace as it is in our homes. To ensure positive relationships, never pass on negativity, toxic messages, or gossip. Be mindful of what you say to each other and how you say it. 

4. Build trust

Relationships need trust, as trust encourages people to participate and fosters loyalty. As leaders, we need to be trustworthy and trusting. This can be championed through open communication by demonstrating competence and being accountable and responsible for our actions.

5. Be authentic

Whilst every coach always talks about being authentic, in this case, leadership and authenticity mean being connected to your true belief systems and values.  Live your life, follow your values and be yourself. When you are doing that, you will lead from the heart.

6. Be caring

Taking a sincere interest in and expressing genuine care for others is heart-led leadership. Being nurturing and being seen as nurturing are frequently dismissed by those in very masculine environments.  However, for true heart-led leadership that encourages others to bring their best selves to work, caring about people shows compassion and empathy. Which is what we all want and need. 

The future of leadership; leading with your head and heart

The future of leadership is people who can lead with both their heads and their hearts. Leaders who choose to lead from both the head and the heart use their leadership to influence outcomes in a way that works with and for people, not over them. People who will bring caring, empathy, and compassion to their interactions with others, as well as still maintaining the actions towards the bigger vision and goals. 

How to get started leading with BOTH your head AND heart

If you’re not sure where to get started, here are 6 questions that might help you dream big about what leadership could look like in your life and career. 

1. What more can I do for myself? 

2. What more can I do for my business or career?

3. What more can I do for my family and friends? 

4. What more can I do for my team? 

5. What more can I do for my community? 

6. And what more can I do for the world?

Leadership is bringing the best of yourself and others forward. By exploring the 12 areas shared above, and using these 6 questions to expand the scope of what leadership may look like in our life and career, we move towards leading with head AND heart.

Regardless of where we may be in our life right now, we ALL have the opportunity to become effective leaders. 

A leader who leads with both head and heart.

Leaders know when to ask for support

The best leaders lead with both head and heart. And they also know when to ask for support, and who to ask.  

I support people to feel confident in their careers and lives and to be their own leaders, by embracing their strengths. If you’d like to learn more, book your complimentary consult and we can explore the possibility of working together.