Emotions are powerful and are meant to move us, remember. Emotions are dangerous too. When left unchecked they can overpower the neocortex (the rational thinking part of de brain) and cause us all kinda trouble. The best of the best regulate the temperature in the room. Normal ones simply reflect the heat or the frigidity coming their way. The BTL leader regulates herself, first. When she “feels” the early warning signals she checks herself. Her inner voice reminds her to breathe. Three deep breathes later, her whole mind responds – not just her amygdala (the emotional center of de brain). Deep breathing calmed her. FM, baby. Now she is able to regulate the temperature in the room…
The BTL leader is real, raw, and a regulator. Like a freakin’ magic thermostat they keep the room comfortable when the heat is on and even when it’s ice cold. The BTL leader remains calm, first. Now, this same leader can connect in a way that screams how much they care, sometimes, without saying a word. Normal leaders simply reflect back whatever temp is registered in the room. Kinda like a giant, systemwide thermometer. These kinda leaders usually talk too much without saying anything the team can use. These leaders spread the opposite emotion of caring – they spread anxiety. Anxiety is the enemy of high performance. Do you see de problemo?
You most likely think you are not what your team thinks you are. Funny, the only way to know is to take their temperature by asking. How would your team describe you – thermostat or thermometer? When you imagine yourself asking your team such a question, are you aware of how you feel? Funny, the reason most companies employ outside parties to conduct 360 reviews of their top executives is the leaders lack the courage to ask on their own and the team lacks courage to tell the head the truth. Funny, huh.
How would your team describe you? Thermostat or thermometer? What’s it gonna hurt to ask? Once they open their mouths, regardless what comes out, keep asking them to tell you more. About the fifth time you ask, on average, a little truth might somehow slip out…
BUILT TO LEAD 