A641.2.3.RB - Am I a Resonant Leader

This blog I will be describing what surprises I discovered about myself using the workbook exercise from Becoming a resonant leader: Develop your emotional intelligence, renew your relationships, sustain your effectiveness.

Am I inspirational? How do I inspire people?

I started my career as a contract aircraft mechanic. I came to my current location in that role, it been 10 years. And in that time, I have had many different roles and continued my education. I have now taken on the role to be a mentor and the education focal. I want to show that we all can make it. Work with your head and not your back.

Do I create an overall positive emotional tone that is characterized by hope? How?

I create a positive emotional tone with co-workers and those that I lead by being myself. And what I mean by that I share my emotional state, I’m honest to the point that I allow everyone to

be the same, and I try to know something about my co-workers. Be their work family.

Am I in touch with others? Do I really know what is in other’s hearts and on their minds? How do I show this?

I try to talk and meet with my workers daily. I think I have a understanding of what they want out of their careers, I know something about their families, and I feel like I know their hearts. But can you ever completely know someone’s heart?

Do I regularly experience and demonstrate compassion?

One way I demonstrate compassion is by supporting people with their request for time off from work and provide resources they need to get their job done. Upon reflection of this exercise, I realized my focus is on completing tasks and not emotionally aware like I should be.  I do not naturally think about people’s emotions or recognize in myself the emotional tone of what is going on with people.  I know I can do some more work in this area and learn some practices on how to become more emotionally aware of what is going on with people.

Am I authentic and in tune with myself, others, and the environment? How can people see this in me?

I am always authentic with others and reflect on my reactions as much as possible, that’s the only way I can be. I don’t like conflict because I want people to like me and avoid negative feelings. But do understand that it can’t always be avoided. Taking the risk of sharing your thoughts and feelings helps others be more in tune with you.

What did I discover about myself when completing the exercise?

I connected with my thinking after I realized how emotionally upset I can get over small issues. By taking the time to ask some questions, and re-center my thinking builds my confidence.  When I avoid feeling I default into being task minded and disconnect from others emotionally. I learned that practicing emotional awareness seems riskier than it is.  Sharing honestly about what I feel can be vulnerable and even be misunderstood, yet being in tune is worth it.  Boyatzis & McKee (2005), in the story about Neall, he learned to focus on being honest and true to himself as the most important actions he could take to sustain hope, mindful compassion.

References

Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2005). Resonant Leadership. Boston: Harvard Business Press.

McKee, A., Boyatzis, R., & Johnston, F. (2008). Resonant Leader. Boston: Harvard Business Press.