A Well Blended Heart

“Leaders with HEART, win the hearts of the people they lead…,” said

one of my colleagues over a cup of morning coffee after reading it on my

desk, “…another ‘Thomsenism’ I presume.” My response, “As a leader,

how you think at the beginning of the day determines how you lead

throughout the day.” “Man,” said my friend, “…you are full of those

‘Thomsenism’s today! I know there is a reason for the capitalization of

HEART, please tell me it is not to say great leaders have BIG hearts?”

“No,” I said, “but that is a good thought.”

“HEART” represents five key ingredients that can create the proper

blend that puts the “extra” in extraordinary leaders though it should be

noted that too much or too little of these ingredients can ruin the flavor a

leader’s impact, influence, and effectiveness. One must have the right

blend.

Authentic leaders understand the value of HEART and choose to

incorporate these factors throughout their leadership day, as appropriate.

Leaders with HEART possess a healthy blend of humor, enthusiasm,

appreciation, reliability, and thoughtfulness. I call these the five fingers of

authentic leadership because these elements touch people’s hearts at

the deepest level. Would that I could go into greater detail on this

platform, but face to face is so much better when sharing these truths.

Humorous: Laughter is the best medicine, and the leader who knows

how to laugh at themselves and laugh with those they lead will both live

well and lead well. Proper humor, employed properly, lessens

anxiousness by lifting people’s spirits. In other words, “Humor applied

helps heartache subside.” It is important to note that there are two sides

to humor, one side builds people up, the other breaks people down. Be

sure to build up, it’s much healthier.

Enthusiastic: A day without enthusiasm is like a day spent in the morgue;

cold and lifeless. Eeyore and Tigger, from the world of Winnie the Pooh,

depict both ends on the enthusiasm spectrum; on one end flat, and the

other wild seltzer bubbles. A well-balanced enthusiastic leader will inspire

well-balanced enthusiastic people, and then the “herd effect”

takes control.

Appreciative: Appreciation is to people what oil is to an engine, it keeps

the effects of friction at bay allowing the engine to function at peak

performance. Wise leaders always show appreciation, even if they don’t

feel like it sometimes. To show appreciation is to value people by

acknowledging them and giving them a sense of belonging which is

desperately needed in today’s society. Showing appreciation always kills

the “taken for granted” disease.

Reliable: During one of my interviews where I asked the question, “In

your opinion, what one quality stands out above all others concerning

your leader?” The answer, “He is reliably, unreliable.” Talk about an

indictment. Another Thomsenism reads, “Your yes means yes, and your

no means no, any other answer is a sure no-go.” Like the old saying

goes, “Your word is your bond.” Reliability finds its defining truth in words

spoken, and deeds done. Here’s another thought to consider, the term

“maybe” is to reliability what a mirage is in the desert.

Thoughtful: A leader with heart is most of all thoughtful and thoughtful

leaders are tactful leaders. When problems arise, these leaders target

the problems, not the people; they affirm people, not problems; they

clarify what right looks like; they train people how to get to what right

looks like. Ultimately, a thoughtful leader is one who chooses to think

from various perspectives and gives consideration to all factors past,

present, and future before making a decision to speak or act.