Because of the context we're in that sees us humans as replaceable cogs in a wheel
We've collectively inherited a mindset that's led us to mechanize humans and humanize machines. We're expected to separate our minds and hearts and work and provide the same high quality of work regardless of the contexts we're in. Yet to be effective, resilient and innovative in face of uncertainty and the complex problems of our times, we need our whole selves. That's when we thrive.
We been taught to "leave our emotions at the door," pretending that it's possible. Yet the emotional drama we see at work – tension, conflict, reactive decision-making and CJB (criticism, judgment and blame) are caused by ignoring the wisdom of emotions. When we respect our whole selves, we become balanced and can respond wisely to triggers. That helps us have a bigger impact in our work without losing our humanity. No emotional drama necessary.
Human-Centric Leading is a mindset and set of tools that equips leaders with an antidote to recurring leadership and team challenges
Human-Centric Leading – HCL for short – is a way of being that respects peoples' whole selves. With its four tools, leaders have a structured way to affect sustainable behavioral change that improves workplaces cultures and the associated results. It’s a way of leading that enhances the collaborative, resilient and creative aspects of everyone involved. Plus, HCL is the only model that explains the core reason behind recurring leadership and team problems and provides specific ways to create enduring change. By understanding the “why” behind issues, leaders experience breakthrough moments of clarity that help them retain their learning/insight and apply it successfully to their differing circumstances.
Do you consider how your workplace affects the ways you think, feel, act and the results you create?
When you consider contexts, you respond deliberately to mistakes, failures and problems without fault-finding. Doing that reduces the fear
of being blamed and creates a focus on the particular context-based influences at hand. With that, you can identify the core reasons behind any unwanted outcomes to solve root issues for lasting change (instead of solely plugging symptoms).
Do you know which mindsets you use at work? Do they reflect your highest intelligence, expertise and insight?
Choosing mindsets is a way to assess and determine how you show up at work. That’s especially key in situations that trigger you into reactions that you later regret. By becoming more self-aware, you shift from reacting habitually to responding deliberately that reflects your best self. Doing so uplevels your fulfillment, influence and impact. All the while, you foster calm and neutral ways of handling challenges and optimizing opportunities.
When was the last time you understood what you really need at work to be your best in face of fast-paced change, uncertainty and the totality of other challenges at work?
As a leader, you can cultivate self-reflection, conversations with others and workplace cultures where peoples' needs are most likely met. Doing that helps everyone feel psychologically safe, which boosts their efficacy. As a result, fosters the creation of sustainable solutions to the complex problems
of our times.
What if you learned how to use emotions as data points to solve problems?
To transform unresourceful habits (that result in reactive decision-making, miscommunication, silos, conflict and distrust – to name a few unwanted results), you, as a leader, can use emotions as data. It's an easy and practical way to identify the triggers behind emotions to identify their root causes and facilitate constructive conversations about core problems and creative solutions. It's useful when dealing with both individual and team challenges.
How often are you wise instead of solely smart?
When progress is stagnated, certain stakeholders are stonewalling, you feel stuck and/or want new ideas, you can elevate yourself to a bird’s eye view
to see the big picture. Getting a new perspective immediately reveals ideas and options that you hadn’t noticed before. A simple inquiry shifts your entire mindset even when you’re frustrated or convinced that there’s no solution to the issues you’re facing.
