<p>Leadership is an idea that fascinates people at all levels of society and business; crossing cultures and encompassing generations. It intrigues us because most of us, at some point, will be called upon to play a leading role in social settings, community activities or in the workplace.</p>
<p>How we respond, or how we think we will respond, to this call can be a source of anxiety. We all want to play that leading role capably, earning the respect of the people around us. We want to feel the confidence, the esteem and the admiration.</p>
<p>Being a leader is both simple and complex. Simple because it involves reaching deep within ourselves and being that which we often fear, our true self; complex because we must present that true self to others, leaving ourselves vulnerable and exposed.</p>
<p>By mastering this fundamental dichotomy we all become leaders. I say this because leadership does not have to do with age, rank, status or power. We find leaders at all levels of our organizations because leadership has to do with conducting ourselves in a mature manner. </p>
<p>Maturity, as Stephen Covey defines it, is balancing the courage to share your feelings and convictions with consideration for the feelings and convictions of another person. Cultivating this maturity is the toil of leadership, reaching a balance of courage and consideration that allows us to engage and to inspire a group of people to accomplish phenomenal things.</p>
<p>The most skilful leaders often work behind the scenes, achieving objectives quickly and quietly. They use a light touch and produce seamless results. They are usually so good at what they do people hardly know they exist.</p>
<p>Think back to that boss or that leader we have all had in our lives. The one you would do almost anything for and who helped you to believe in yourself. It might not be a single person; it could be a montage of people who have had an effect on your life. When I bring this image to mind what I recall is someone who was true to their word and did not speak lightly, who did more and talked less, a person who was not interested in accolades and was truly happy for the success of others. What do you remember?</p>
<p>Leaders who can achieve an advanced level of maturity are capable of building teams that accomplish dreams because they can effectively cultivate their people. They realize that accomplishing dreams is rarely a solo project. We all need support, guidance and direction.</p>
<p>So what’s the magic? How do we engage people so that they donate their brains, their sweat and their souls to our cause?</p>
<p>By learning to lead in three dimensions.</p>
<p>The motto 'Head Hand and Heart' is taken from an inscription used by Charles Voysey, a prominent Arts & Crafts Movement architect and designer. In terms of the Arts & Crafts movement this meant: 'Head' for creativity and imagination, 'Hand' for skill and craft, 'Heart' for honesty and for love.</p>
<p> We are all influenced by these three dimensions - thinking (head), doing (hands) and feeling (heart). We each have a dominant preference that guides the way we learn and accomplish tasks: </p>
<ul>
<li>People who are ruled by their heads prefer to think before acting and are driven more by cognitive logic than by emotion. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>People who are driven by the hands prefer to take action first to find out what works and what doesn't work. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>People ruled by their hearts learn by experiencing and seeing how they feel about their experiences.</li>
</ul>
<p>As a leader it is important to relate to the people on your team on all of these levels. </p>
<p>First off, what is your dominant dimension? </p>
<p>How does that affect the way you interact with your team? </p>
<p>Now inventory your team for their dominant characteristics. </p>
<p>What is the make up of your team? Mostly head, hands or heart? </p>
<p>Remember, everyone is brilliant at something. In creating a balanced team you will need a mix of people who have complementary strengths. </p>
<p>In building your dream team this is a good place to begin.</p>
<p>Best Regards,</p>
<p>David Dial HCS</p>
<p>Pacesetter</p>
2009-07-23T17:55:06Z
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2009-07-23T15:19:53Z
2009-07-23T22:20:12Z
Leadership is an idea that fascinates people at all levels of society and business; crossing cultures and encompassing generations.
Three Dimensional Leadership
1
2009-07-23T22:20:12Z