Leading from the heart is a movement, not just a thought or a book
Life is unpredictable and full of surprises. In February, I was unexpectedly contacted by Joan Scott to write the foreword for a compilation of management stories from leaders in the beauty and wellness industry. The core theme of the book is Leading from the Heart.
Although, I want to clarify that I didn’t know Joan at that time;
we had never met nor been connected on any social media platform. Joan discovered me through a blog post I wrote in 2023 and published on LinkedIn. The blog, titled “Psychological Safety at Work or the Giving Cycle,” reflects my transition from traditional management to a more empathetic and compassionate leadership approach. Having undergone executive management training and executive coaching, I came to the realization that I didn’t always practice what I truly believed was the best way to lead teams. Sometimes, it’s challenging to advocate for what we believe is best in a work environment that may not fully embrace our philosophy.
Nevertheless, on that cold day in February,
I found myself engrossed in a wonderful conversation with Joan about her book. I gladly accepted her offer and felt honored to write the foreword. As I began reading the approved stories for the book, I was overjoyed to see how many people were embracing and advocating for the Leading from the Heart philosophy. Their insights were not only obvious but essential, particularly for those who deeply care about people and humanity.
For example,
Kylie Denton, a highly experienced leadership consultant and coach in Australia, emphasized leading with kindness and building a culture of kindness to foster overall success.
Samantha Sweet, a veteran and owner of Sweet Squared distribution in the UK, reminded us that a business can be built on love and respect.
Kay Pennington, an acclaimed spa leader in the UK, highlighted the importance of presence and creating genuine connections with team members to cultivate workplace trust.
Samantha Ashton, an experienced sales and education executive, stressed the role of being a caretaker by providing direction, accountability, approachability, and problem-solving in a spa department.
Tabitha James Kraan, an organic hair pioneer and founder, described leading by example as a foundational pillar of success alongside leading from the heart.
Jen Bucks, a professional speaker, coined this leadership style “People-First Leadership,” focusing on the importance of putting the majority of leadership’s focus on rewarding, recognizing, praising, and empowering their people, creating a groundswell of joy, loyalty, and increased profits when leaders take themselves out of the equation.
I could continue to showcase examples from all the book chapters,
but I highly recommend reading it. This movement is only the beginning, and I believe it will form the foundation for effective leadership in the next ten years. Life has a way of bringing people together for a reason, especially when the goal is to create positive change in the world. I am still astonished about being chosen to be part of this project.
Our goal is to hold a Leading-from-the-Heart seminar in January 2025.
Stay tuned, as the movement has exciting future developments to strengthen further and cultivate it.
