Great Leaders Work on Their Hearts First Putting Personal Development Before Professional Advancement
I am amazed how easy it is to regress in the area of the heart—our ability to love, forgive, uplift, and support others, especially during busy seasons of life. Despite the outside pressures, great leaders put their personal development ahead of their professional advancement.
Leaders, we must work on our hearts.
When life is especially demanding, my attitude tends to decline. I can be more cynical or even negative. Even if it is not noticeable to others, I find myself having less positive thoughts about those I lead. That usually occurs as I have less time to tend to myself, less time in prayer, less time to read, write, reflect, talk to mentors, etc.
That’s why as leaders, we must be intentional to renew our commitment to healthy leadership. Here’s how we can do that.
How can we work on our hearts?
There are two reasons. First, it is the right thing to do. Great leaders do the right thing (not just what is expedient to make them look good). Second, people want to follow leaders with big hearts, not small people with big checkbooks or big plans. Practice personal development techniques—times for reading, writing, and thinking. Schedule alone time. If you are a person of faith like me, also ask God for help. As often as you can, surround yourself with people with heart. For Further Reading: Values of a Great Team: Love
Why must we work on our hearts if we want to be great leaders?
How do you work on your heart?
How to Sow into the Lives of Others
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