Because of the context we're in that sees us humans as replaceable cogs in a wheel
We've inherited a mindset that's led us to mechanize humans and humanize machines. We're expected to separate our minds and hearts and work at the same high quality regardless of the work 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 learned to "leave our emotions at the door," pretending that it's possible. Yet the emotional drama at work – tension, conflict, reactive decision-making and CJB (criticisms, judgments 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 and have a bigger impact 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 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 the learning and apply it successfully to their specific circumstances and differing environments.
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, reducing the fear of being blamed with a focus on the particular context-based influences at hand. That also helps identify the core reasons behind the unwanted outcomes to solve root issues instead of solely symptoms.
Do you know which mindsets you use at work and if 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 on a team as 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?
Cultivating self-reflection, conversations and workplace cultures where peoples' needs are met helps everyone feel psychologically safe, which boosts their efficacy and champions 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), leaders 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. You can access wisdom by starting with one question: what would a wise person do? This simple inquiry shifts your entire mindset even when you’re frustrated or convinced that there’s no solution to the issues you’re facing.
